MUMBAI: The Catholic Gymkhana Ltd. located at Marine Drive, a sports and cultural club for more than 100 years, held the annual elections of its steering committee on Saturday evening. The event saw lawyer Joaquim Reis re-elected unopposed as president, while Clyde Crasto, the national spokesperson of the Nationalist Congress Party – Sharadchandra Pawar, was elected vice president.

Crasto told HT that eleven members were in the running for the steering committee, of which seven were on their panel.

The gymkhana was established in 1912 during the British era and became famous for its sporting excellence including football, hockey, billiards, cricket, badminton and tennis. However, Crasto says it is more than just a sports facility. “It also represents a unique blend of culture, sport and entertainment.”

The Gymkhana, which has 3,000 lifetime members, is also entering the digital age by adopting cashless transactions via QR codes, reflecting its commitment to combining tradition and modernization. It is mainly aimed at the Catholic community but open to all, offers a variety of recreational and cultural activities. “We have a badminton court, table tennis and multi-sport activities. On Saturdays, we organize dance evenings for our members. It’s a mix of sporting and cultural events, making it a vibrant community hub,” Crasto added.

Membership in the Gymkhana comes with a notable distinction between Catholics and non-Catholics. Catholics pay ₹2 lakh for lifetime membership, while non-Catholics are charged ₹5 million. “There is a difference in prices because we are a predominantly Catholic institution, but we are open to everyone. We have members from various communities and we organize cultural events like dandiya during Navratri, Goa and Mangalore festivals,” Crasto said, adding that it is a Catholic institution with a secular mentality.

Gymkhana houses three restaurants: Palms, Gym Diner and Sports Diner, offering multi-cuisine options. Other facilities include a pool and snooker room, a full-fledged badminton court and the new pickleball on the terrace. The large grassed area is used for cricket and football, while weddings and social events take place in the hall. The well-furnished bar, Sussegado, is also a popular feature.

Crasto, who served three terms as additional vice president in an appointed role, expressed his gratitude after being elected. “I was honored to be elected by the steering committee this time,” he said.

With its long-standing heritage and modern updates, Catholic Gymkhana continues to be a beacon of community spirit, sports and cultural diversity, Crasto added.