RWITC receives record sponsorship for Pune season

Pune, Aug 1 (UNI) The Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) which is still recovering from the rude shock due to the alleged utterance of committee member and noted industrialist Mr Vijaypat Singhania, has turned a new leaf by attracting record sponsorships for the Pune season commencing from Saturday 5.

Addressing a crowded media conference here today, the RWIT Club chairman Dr Cyrus Poonawalla who regained the reigns after a lapse of five years took the criptic comments of Mumbai Sherif Singhania with a pinch of salt alleging that the club (RWITC) is being run by the ''mafia''. Putting salt on the wounds of the RWITC, Mr Singhania has gone to the extent of writing a letter to the Maharashtra finance minister Jayant Patil to stop racing at the Mahalaxmi race course as it is run and controlled by the ''mafia'' .

Dr Poonawalla, known for his magnanimity, however, did not elicit any debate on the subject and termed the utterances of Mr Singhania as ''conflict of intention''. The committee has decided to avoid any deliberations on the subject and hence will decide the course of action in near future. Dr Poonawalla, however, pointed out that after his team has taken over, the losses have been reduced by Rs one crore.

RWITC-- marketing, media and public relations working group chairman Vivek Jain dwelt at length highlighting the record sponsorships obtained by the club, setting a new bench mark for the Pune racing season. As a new land mark, the three-month long season will feature a sposnored or a group race every weekend, he added.

The total amount of sponsorship, thus, received is Rs 52 lakhs, a new record as against Rs 32 lacs last year, an increase of 62.5 per cent. The RWITC is deeply appreciative of their gesture. The total prize money on offer is Rs 4.21 crore Mr Jain elaborated.

Our new sponsosrs are Bluefold's, Dubai Pegasus Reality, Panchshil Reality, Panoramic Universal, Piaggio Vehicles, Funtacy Ice Creams, and Bavaria, while Kumar Builders and Oxford Properties renew their association with bigger Grade 2 races Mr Jain explained.

The 2006 season will have 16 regular meetings plus 10 special before the season ending on October 29 Mr Jain said.

To yet another question, Mr Jain said that we would very much like to start the season on July 15 as usual in the past probably from next year.

Among a number of new facilities and amenities thus created at the race couse include several new tote windows, 5 to 6 mobile tots and a new dividend board which will make betting easier and faster and superior tote staff efficiency will be noticeable. The Nanoli Stud Pune Derby, sponsored by Nanoli Stud, with a contribution of Rs 12 lakhs and the S A Poonawalla millions, with the purse guranteed by the Poonawalla Group will be the seasons highlights, Mr Jain informed.

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