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| Mumbai - Dining & Leisure |
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Mumbai is the cricket capital of India, and it alive with matches of
varying levels in the maidans (open grounds). Although the maidans, notably
Shivaji Park, are also used for political demonstrations, it is more common
to find Mumbaikars either participating in or simply watching cricket. On
holidays, it is not unusual to find matches simultaneously going on, with
boundary lines overlapping each other. Many of India's top cricket players
honed their cricket talent in these maidans, including superstar Sachin
Tendulkar, Vijay Merchant, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Sanjay
Manjrekar, and Vinod Kambli. Some maidans even have cricket schools
operated by veterans of the game. The ability to play or discuss cricket is
one of the easiest ways to make new friends in Mumbai.
Horse racing
A serious spectator sport, horse racing draws thousands to the Royal
Western India Turf Club (Keshavro Khadye Marg in Mahalaxmi; tel: 307-1401),
which is one of the best in the world. During the season, November to
April, races are held on Sunday and Wednesday afternoons. Events such as
the Indian Derby are major social occasions attended by well-dressed
punters who enjoy lunch or sip tea between races. Visitors need a letter
from a member to authorize entry into the private enclosure.
Leisure sports
Golf
There are only a handful of golf courses in Mumbai. The Willingdon Club
(tel: 287-6051) has an 18-hole course (par: ladies 64, men 60) within the
city. In suburban Chembur, the Bombay Presidency Golf Club (tel: 557-4988)
founded in 1827. The 18-hole, par-70 course was designed by Peter Thompson
on a scenic site. More recent is the Royal Palms Golf & Country Club
(Goregoan East, tel: 842-7728), an 18-hole championship buggy course with a
contemporary clubhouse; no temporary membership.
Jogging
Marine Drive promenade from the Oberoi Hotel to Chowpatty beach is one of
the popular jogging areas in Mumbai. One can find foreigners as well as
locals jogging from the early morning to late evening. Apart from this
breezy, 3km (2-mile) promenade, there are jogging tracks at Colaba Wood
(Cuffe Parade) and the Port Trust Garden (near Sassoon Dock). Priyadarshini
Park (on Napean Sea Road) is a well maintained track along the Arabian Sea.
Bandra, 20km (12 miles) from the city center, also has a Joggers Park on
Carter Road.
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