LAHORE, Sept 28: Low turnout of racing fans, particularly in midweek gymkhana races has become a cause of great concern for the Lahore Race Club (LRC) management.

According to estimates, the number of race-goers has recently gone down by over thirty per cent in average which is a record low as compared to the corresponding period last year.

With the drop in ticket sales, the LRC income too has been showing a downward slide.

The main cause for the absence of race-goers is stated to be limited number of entries in races which reflect poor quality of contests.

Another reason for this lack of interest by race-fans is what they allege poor stiping, absence of open handicapping and increasing influence of turf accountants in the running of races The stewards are bound to change riders of three mounts at their instance.

The present scenario has dealt a severe blow to the campaign launched by the LRC chairman, Syed Fakhar Imam to attract more and more people to come and enjoy racing. He had been campaigning to bring in more visitors including elite to races projecting this sport as a sort of entertainment.

Under the present circumstances it is more likely that LRC may revise its schedule of holding races twice a week and alter it to once a week, a suggestion being made by several racing enthusiasts.—A.G.