Those rumours at the track

ALTHOUGH there has been no recent disruption there have been persistent rumours of a worsening of the relationship between the board of directors of Caymanas Track Ltd. (CTL) and certain interest groups in the racing fraternity.

With each board decision at CTL, one hears of the possibility of stoppages as the general air of dissatisfaction with the administrators continue unabated. Specifically it is the Jamaican Racehorse Trainers Association (JRTA) and to a lesser extent the jockeys association that seem to have the most problems with the current administration.

As far as the JRTA is concerned, based on the various releases and correspondence coming from he organisation, the CTL administration has not done a particularly good job in handling the promotion of racing and the development of and maintenance of the racing plant. In fact many administrative decisions and policies of CTL have been criticised in as scathing a manner as possible by the JRTA in tandem with the Owners Association.

CTL chairman Danny Melville has not been merely content to take the criticisms without response and has not minced words in dealing with what he perceives as a radical difference between his aspirations for the promoting company and theirs.

I think, however, that all factions have the same objectives for the racing industry but the divergence has to do with who should oversee the development process.

As far as I am concerned there is no getting away from the fact that it is the government that has the ultimate responsibility for the fortunes of the racing industry. As I am fond of reminding those who have forgotten, it was as far back as 1989 that the government promised to restructure and modernise the industry.

From what I have observed there is precious little that has happened that even remotely resembles a process of modernisation never mind restructuring. This matter has not been given serious attention by the four Ministers of Finance which have held office since then and things have pretty much remained constant for nearly twelve years.

I suppose the important question now is whether or not the industry can remain in this state for very much longer and can the government afford to be just content to allow things to continue as they are. I don't think the vested interest held by the important participants has received the kind of consideration it deserves and it has had the effect of influencing potential new investors in a negative way.

As things stand there is little chance for meaningful development to take place unless the government states definitively where it wants to see the industry going. The promoting company needs to be put in a position where earnings can be maximised and this is going to require significant capital injection and this cannot be postponed forever. I am longing for the day when the personality and other conflicts will be a thing of the past and a harmonious environment established to take the industry forward.

By Cliff Williams

Contributor

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