RWITC racing licence renewed

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The state government on Wednesday renewed the racing license of the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) Ltd for the year 2020-21. Sources from the premier race club, which has a monopoly to conduct horses racing at Mumbai and Pune, confirmed to midday.

"We are now awaiting permission to hold racing without the crowds, in accordance with the COVID-19 guidelines," NHS Mani, CEO of the RWITC, told midday.

"We are checking our options," Mani added but refused to speculate when the actual racing season will get underway, and whether it will be at Pune or Mumbai.

It may be noted that the Pune monsoon season, scheduled between July & October, was a non-starter this year on account of all sporting activity grinding to a halt due to the nationwide lockdown. At present all Western India-based racehorses are stationed at Pune.

The typical Mumbai horse racing season starts after mid-November at the Mahalaxmi racecourse and stretches into April next year. But with part of the race club's premises presently being used as makeshift health facilities, racing may have to start at Pune before gradually making a shift to Mumbai.

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