KARACHI: The horseracing fraternity is perturbed with inactivity of three racing weeks during March in the backdrop of lockdown caused by coronavirus pandemic with no chances in sight of resumption on April 5, Dawn has learnt.

It may be mentioned that races took place only once last month on the eve of Pakistan Derby on March 5.

The Karachi Race Club (KRC) and its low-paid staff, including a large number of daily wagers ,have received a blow as they are dependent on the races. Most of the staffers take advance salaries to make ends meet.

Despite paucity of funds, the KRC has somehow managed to clear the utility bills and salaries of staff for March and if the lockdown prolongs, it will create severe crisis for poor jockeys, trainers, horse groomers and scores of other people who are connected with the equine sport.

With the extension of social distancing till April 30 by the Prime Minister Imran Khan and the holy month of Ramazan around the corner, the KRC and horseracing connoisseurs have kept their fingers crossed.

Meanwhile, the KRC has already adopted measures to combat Covid 19 which envisaged regular spray in the main stand, betting ring, stables and offices in addition to provision of sanitisers for staff.

Meanwhile, despite passing of over three months to the tragic death of senior jockey and former Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup champion Mohammad Nasir, the private insurance firm has not paid dues to his family that includes five children.

It is pertinent to mention that Nasir succumbed to injuries after falling from his mount Thunder King during a race on Dec 22.

“We have provided all sorts of evidences including Dawn’s clipping of Dec 23 but the delay at their end is not understandable,” a KRC official told Dawn on Wednesday.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2020