A key step to regularize the ‘Sport of Kings’ has been taken.
Yesterday during a simple ceremony at the Ministry of Sport, Legal Advisor to the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA), Rajendra Poonai, handed over draft legislation on the sport to Minister Dr. Frank Anthony.
“We have achieved the first step and we need to keep the momentum going” said President of the GHRA, Vic Oditt.
According to Anthony, ”following a stakeholders meeting next month for feedback, the legislation will go through its parliamentary process then it will go to Cabinet for approval.” Anthony added that when the legislation is passed, “it will open up a whole range of activities.” The Sport Minister then stated that it will be “a worthwhile investment since horse racing is a big industry.”
The draft Guyana Horse Racing Authority Act which will allow the sport to run more effectively and to deal with violators includes: elevating the number of the Racing Authority’s members from nine to 15, including the Bush Lot United Turf Club as a member of the GHRA and implementing a term (two years) for the members of the Authority.
The legislation which was championed by former GHRA president, Cecil Kennard, will also give the GHRA the power to schedule race dates for race meetings in the event that a club is unable to run off a race meeting.
