The MTC Sports and Leisure (MTCSL) was granted a horse racing organiser licence from the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) on Friday 15. Racegoers are now looking forward for the start of the 2022 racing season scheduled on Saturday April 23.
The MTCSL submitted the additional information and clarifications to the GRA on Friday 15 before noon. Following a board meeting held the afternoon, the GRA was finally satisfied that the MTCSL would be cash flow solvent for the racing season 2022 up to December 2022 on the strict conditions that its sole shareholder, the Mauritius Turf Club (MTC), has undertaken to give unconditional financial support to MTCSL whenever required during the whole racing season. The GRA decided to issue the horse racing organiser licence, subject to conditions attached to the licence, for the racing season 2022.
The is the end of a long road which started on February 7 when the MTCSL first submitted his application to the Horse Racing Division (HRD). The MTCSL requested two extensions, and the GRA stepped in on March 25 to issue a final deadline.
The MTC – MTCSL and the HRD held two separate press conferences on Friday. The president of the MTC, Jean Michel Giraud talked about the financial burden, with loss of Rs 65M to Rs 67 M last year, due to lack of revenue following the past racing season being held in-camera. It would still be the case until, at least, June 2022.
The HRD presented his members. It is Deanthan Moodley who will lead the board of stipendiary steward for the first race meeting. Holder of a degree in law from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Moodley, 31, has already assumed this position in South Africa. He will be supported by T. S. Mahendher who was ‘Chief Stipe’ at the Bangalore Turf Club in India. There will also be Sanjeev Thakan, who was Stipendiary Steward at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club. And Riyaz Khan who assumed the same position at the Royal Western India Turf Club in Mumbai. The ‘Head’ of the HRD, will be the Australian Wayne Wood who has been ‘Chief Stipe’ in Australia, India and Sri Lanka.
