Turf Club attendance may go up in smoke

Despite repeated fumigation, the PRA Independence Day trophy, which attracts 5,000 bettors every year, may not see as many this time, thanks to swine flu pandemic

Despite repeated fumigation, the PRA Independence Day trophy, which attracts 5,000 bettors every year, may not see as many this time, thanks to swine flu pandemicu00a0
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Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) authorities fear the PRA Independence Trophy, which attracts over 5,000 bettors every year, may not see as many people this time thanks to the fear of the H1N1 infection among citizens.u00a0u00a0

This, despite the fact that the club premises, including the stables and spectator benches are being repeatedly fumigated, and the administration has arranged for masks to be given to spectators.

Vivek Jain, the media and marketing chairman, RWITC, said, "The race will be held as scheduled on August 15. We are, however, taking necessary precautions. We are fumigating the entire premises to arrest the spread of the virus. However, we know the fear of catching a swine flu infection will keep the crowds away."

A RWITC employee told this reporter that the premises have been fumigated twice in the last four days. "The whole club, including the places where people sit, bathrooms, toilets, stables, where the horses are kept, the food court and all the other places have been fumigated thoroughly. We have been cleaning the benches with disinfectant," the employee said.

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