November 12, 2007	Monday	Ziqa’ad 01, 1428

KARACHI, Nov 11: The new chairman racing committee of the Karachi Race Club, Syed Sadruddin Shah Rashdi, on Sunday outlined certain measures to make the club financially sound besides improving the existing racing standards.

“My first priority is to curtail unnecessary expenses and bring the institution out of ‘red’,” he told Dawn.

Rashdi said he was taken aback when informed that the KRC has secured a loan of about Rs2 million and paying interest on it. “Its’ my desire to clear it at the earliest,” he declared.

Referring to improve the standards of racing, he said that plans are afoot to bring in new owners and turf accountants.

It is pertinent to mention that number of active owners has reached an all time low (eight) in the recent past.

Similarly, he said, the number of competitive horses has come down to 250.

“Plans are also under consideration to invite jockeys and trainers from abroad as a step to provide attraction to the fraternity,” said Rashdi, who heads a nine-member committee.

Meanwhile, according to racegoers, things have started getting into shape in a short span of time and hoped these will improve further.—AZ