With Baskaran Bassawh electing to not contest the election for the Presidency of the Arima Race Club (ARC) on August 11 at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, the way was paved for former second vice-president Robert Bernard to become the new President of the Arima Race Club.
Last Sunday's meeting ended eight months of turmoil in the racing industry after the resignation of Brian Stollmeyer in October last year.
However, on May 26 the election of officers was postponed following an injunction filed by members John O'Brien and Robert Bernard. The injunction relates to the 58 new members who were eligible to vote for all positions except the post of president.
According to the report, the order was granted by judge Nadia Kangaloo and it stated that the AGM can come off as planned but there can be no election of officers. Incumbent president Baskaran Bassawh and acting secretary Sita Ragonanan were given a fortnight to answer questions raised by O'Brien and Bernard about the eligibility of certain members even though their nominations are not in compliance with the rules of the ARC.
Bassawh was the interim President following Stollmeyers resignation but his leadership was questioned continuously during his tenure.
At Sunday's Annual General Meeting (AGM) Robert Bernard was elected unopposed to take the reigns of local racing for the next two years.
Owner of leading thoroughbred General JN, Jerry Narace is the First vice-President. Trainer Rolf Bartolo and owner Chevan Maharaj will serve as Board Members of the ARC Management committee for the same period.
John O'Brien who was a former ARC President will also sit on the ARC Board as a member along with former Betting Levy Board Chairman Kama Maharaj who now holds the position of ARC Second-Vice President.
Bassawh wished the new executive well and hope that all will be well in racing in Trinidad and Tobago now that he is not at the helm.