Jagannath is BTC chairman

'Will work towards marketing the sport in a better way'

Y Jagannath was elected chairman of the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) following the ouster of N Harindra Shetty here on Sunday.

At the BTC managing committee meeting, a no confidence motion against Shetty was passed, with 13 of the 14 members in attendance.

A BTC source said Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) ISN Prasad, the government nominee in the committee, asked the no confidence motion against Shetty be deferred by at least two weeks, saying it would give them ample time to find solutions to the current issues at the club.

However, the members went ahead with the voting, with four members abstaining. The remaining nine voted in favour of Jagannath. The source added that the members promised Prasad a detailed explanation on the issues concerning the club in the days to come.

 Jagannath, a steward, said his immediate goal in his new role will be to promote the sport better and bring in facilities of international standards to the club.

“As a chairman I would like to work on marketing the sport better. BTC is one of the best centres in the country. We would like to improve our functioning and better the infrastructure of the club to enhance the charm of racing,” said Jagannath.

The meeting was necessitated after the members took exception to Shetty’s decision to write to the chief minister, complaining about the affairs of the club. The government has promised an enquiry into the matter.

A doping issue involving filly Queen Latifa during the Invitation Cup weekend triggered the controversy but Jagannath said it wasn’t a major problem.

“We are waiting for the ‘B’ sample report of the particular horse (Queen Latifa). We will be sending the sample abroad as well for testing. This isn’t a major problem as the drug content found in the horse is well below the threshold limit according to international rules,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the High Grounds police on Sunday questioned two people in connection with the doping issue.

“We questioned Dr Mahesh, a veterinary doctor and Pradyuman Singh, Chief Stipendiary Officer, BTC, and recorded their statements,” Lakhmikanth, the High Grou­nds police inspector, told DH.