Clubs, Spades Or Trumps?

DECEMBER 28, 2020

Ravi Perera

The word is that several major social clubs in Colombo, in serious financial trouble, are now under the management of State agencies. Going by what is on the grapevine, it seems nearly all clubs are in crisis mode, their income inadequate to meet even the basic expenses, a challenging situation further compounded by the perfunctory management style of most committees. 

These clubs, never designed for profit making, face a daunting reality of mounting liabilities, pointing to eventual insolvency. Only a drastic step could stall the inevitable, like a fireman rushing from one bushfire to another, the government has intervened to stabilize a threatened social necessity; yet the situation with our sporting bodies and social clubs is so shaky, no sooner one fire is brought under control another lights up, the fireman will soon be exhausted. 

Venturing into untrodden paths of social club management, the State assumes multiple roles, a leviathan – rule maker, regulator, administrator and operator.  One arm of the State leases the land to a social club, another regulates it, the next taxes it and when the club is failing, yet another State agency moves in to take over, proceeding to run it. 

From the beginning, our social clubs were a leap of faith. When all around them, public as well as private sector administrators were foundering, establishments degraded, institutional values distorted; to envision institutions in the mode of British Club culture thrive in this sultry clime, needed faith, indeed.  

But the system was fundamentally sound, and could endure repeated mishandling; despite the confusing of its essence, constant abuse of its facilities and the clumsiness of the mimic; the clubs endured, some even crossing the century line.

Except for a very few, most of our clubs today are dilapidated, managed without any refinement or taste. Walls badly in want of a paint, falling plaster, broken windows, garbage strewn about, the smell of rotting food, wet unwashed toilets, stray cats and dogs, are some of the sights that meet one’s eye on entering these places

Social clubs are failing not only because of the insouciance of the committees. Cash-strapped municipal authorities are demanding their annual rates (taxes) which the clubs simply cannot meet. Due to the nature of their facilities clubs need to occupy substantial properties, and in general these are situated in the more expensive areas of the city. The rates on the property keep going up, but the club income is limited. Ignoring their recreational aspect, the municipality demands the club increase its commercial activity; sub-lease sections of the property, look for sponsors, install hoardings. Gradually, a crass business culture overcomes the committee; a member is judged not for his personal qualities but the size of his wallet. The only criteria to join our so called prestigious clubs is that the applicant is well heeled; whether he is a blackguard, bribe-giver or blackmailer, is immaterial.

In this way of looking at things, kick-backs and commissions are standard practices. The club is no longer a meeting place for like-minded gentlemen, but a gathering of social climbers of the worst kind. Under this ethos, it is acceptable for committee members to drink on club account, not settle one’s bills and abuse its facilities.

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