The most frustrating experience for any journalist is when one has to make effort to source even routine information. The Bangalore Turf Club does not have a mechanism of briefing the press whatever the gravity of the situation. Be it the riots or a serious accident on the track or labour unrest, there is no official word forthcoming from BTC. One has to struggle hard to get information which may not always be accurate. The BTC on its part believes in Right To Suppressing Information. The media seeks information not only to get a better perspective of the happenings but also to inform the racing public so that there is clarity about everything.

In the seventh race of Bangalore races on Friday, there was a ghastly accident on the track involving two horses. Cash My Way was racing in front with Vigorous racing well within herself behind the front runner along the rails. Approaching the final bend, Vigorous came down bringing jockey Babulal Paswan along. Attitude Xtreme was racing immediately behind and jockey Ryan Marshall on the horse could not get out of the harm’s way and came crashing down. His horse fell violently along with the jockey and since there was dust storm on the track, one could not get a clear account of what exactly transpired. One was not sure whether Vigorous clipped the front runner or stumbled or the jockey checked the horse in anticipation of not getting a clear run. The cause of the accident was not clear cut. Whether the loose track had anything to do with it, one was not sure.

The two jockeys were shifted to a nearby hospital immediately. There was no official announcement from the club about the fate of the jockeys. Even long after the dust had settled, there was no official word. Fortunately, a persevering media can obtain information through some source or the other. One was relieved to hear that the jockeys were out of danger. Paswan had suffered a fracture on his ankle which is bound to keep him out of action for a considerable period of time. Ryan Marshall appeared to have suffered serious injuries on his head as he was seen bleeding but luckily the jockey was conscious and his scan reports did not indicate any adverse effect of the fall. He has since been moved to the ward and is under observation.

One does not understand why the turf club cannot designate a person to answer the queries of the media. The BTC officials may be helpful but it is not always easy to reach them given the fact that they are busy people and may not want to be disturbed. Often you may not get the information that you are chasing but the information that the club wants to force on the media. In the meanwhile, anxious race goers keep calling us to source information. The situation is no different in other turf clubs as well as one is not sure from whom to source information. The official websites of the clubs are also not helpful in this regard.

One of the newly elected Stewards who was pretty enthusiastic about bringing about changes had queried about the facilities that the media would like to get soon after his election but it is already seven months since the election took place, there is no visible change. Obviously his and the club’s priorities are different. More than any facility, it is the information flow that we seek from the club and would be grateful for these small mercies. After all Right To Information has now become a fundamental right.