Royal Turf Club Nuwara Eliya planning ahead for horse racing season under new committee

A new committee headed by renowned lawyer Panduka Keerthinanda will begin its responsibilities as Royal Turf Club (RTC) is making necessary arrangements to draw its event plan for the year 2022.

After almost all sports-related events were heavily hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic this year and RTC too had to forego its scheduled events calendar during the latter part of the year. However the county’s only active governing club in horse racing stayed afoot to look at possible inroads to keep the sport alive. 

During the short hold-up of events this year, RTC took the time to regroup and appoint its honorary office bearers for the coming tenure. 

Former President and Legal Advisor Panduka Keerthinanda will take reigns of RTC, as its sixth President while horse race enthusiast Ryota Hakariya has been elected as the Secretary. Nisitha Rupasinghe will continue as Treasurer with Ranjan Paranavithana and Refhan Razeen as Committee Members. The ever-dynamic Cyrus J. Madan will continue his duties as the Chairman of Board of Stipendiary Stewards in addition to Sinclair Marshall, who will be the Senior Stipendiary Steward.

“It’s a very good team that we have got to serve RTC this time around. We must also thank those who were part of RTC, as well as our sponsors, who had been with us right throughout to maintain the quality of this lovely sport of horse racing. We have had inquiries from many, including enthusiasts, horse owners and potential sponsors, who are willing to support us during the coming season. It’s very inspiring,” RTC Treasurer Nisitha Rupasinghe stated.

The confirmed event calendar for 2022 will be released by RTC no sooner they receive the endorsement from the higher authority, with a packed line-up of race days. 

RTC has firmly reserved 16 April 2022 for Governor’s Cup, followed by 23 April for the Magic Million Cup. These two events are besides the remaining 13 race days that will be named according to confirmation of sponsors.  

Last season, RTC conducted its April Horse Racing Season successfully with race days including the coveted Governor’s Cup and the Magic Million Cup.