It would be naive not to believe that shows, entertainment events, and food fests bring in the big money
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A recent evening stood out as SoBo’s Bombay Gymkhana felicitated its sporting stalwarts, sportsperson members who represented the country in their different sports at the highest level. The felicitation was also part of the Club’s raft of celebrations to mark its 150th year.
While ritzy glitzy ceremonies are one thing, what events like this do is train the limelight on sport. In total, 65 sportspersons spread across various disciplines were felicitated on what was Family Day for the club. Family Day meant there was a sizable number of children, distracted at times maybe on the lawn, with their parents. Even subliminally, they may have imbibed the sporty message, many of the legends felicitated will serve as inspiration to them, even inspiring awe and admiration.
The larger picture is that Mumbai clubs, with their open spaces, though they do have inaccessible memberships with their dizzying rates, should have their lens trained solely on what they are meant for — sport. We have seen the state authorities, though at times they have been accused of having ulterior motives, question the plethora of entertainment events taking place at these clubs.
It would be naive not to believe that shows, entertainment events, and food fests bring in the big money. Clubs need funds, there are salaries to pay, infrastructure and repairs, besides a host of other expenses. They are money spinners.
Clubs need avenues for money, but these should be used for sporting facilities. More tourneys, new games, upping amenities for existing sport, we must have a robust sporting ecosystem within our city clubs, as we try to become a multi-sport nation.
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