Dear Esteemed Members,

Good day to you all.

The Indian Recreation Club, Hong Kong, is now in its 108^th year since its establishment in 1917. It is both a privilege and an honor to serve as the President of such a distinguished club. I have greatly enjoyed working with all of you and witnessing the Club’s continued growth and success.

It is with immense pleasure that I reflect on the remarkable achievements of the club over the past year.

A.   TENNIS

1. Men’s A+ Champion (Winter League2024)

Our A+ Men’s Team was crowned champion of the A+ Men’s Winter League on December 5, 2024.

This marks the first time IRC has won this prestigious tournament.

2. Island Cup 2024 Champions

After eight intense rounds of competition, IRC emerged victorious in the Island Cup against top clubs in Hong Kong, including CRC, Hong Kong Football Club, LRC, AMC and CCC.

This was first time since 2016 that IRC was invited to participate.

3. Tennis Fun Day (February 8, 2025)

Former ATP player Mr. Daylan Gee joined us at IRC to provide free coaching to our members.

Mr. Michael Cheng, President of HKCTA, also attended and participated in the event.

Further collaborations with HKCTA are in the pipeline for 2025.

4.  New Lighting for Courts 3 & 4

In October 2024, new LED lighting was installed on Court 3 and 4.

Additional improvements are planned for the coming months.

B. LAWN BOWLS & PETANQUE

Lawn Bowls

The Club’s bowling green underwent a full refurbishment in July 2024 and has now returned to optimal playing condition.

Key developments:

Beginners’ training classes have been running since June 2024.

On-field training sessions have been introduced for players in the Premier League and Triples League.

Talent development initiatives have been launched to recruit new players, including men, women, and youth athletes, into the IRC Lawns Bowls squad.

Petanque World Invitation 2024

The highly anticipated Petanque World Invitation returned from May 28-30, 2024, after a long hiatus due to the pandemic. This prestigious international event saw participation from over 200 players representing 14 countries and regions. Matches were held at IRC, Kai Tak Bowling Green, and Mei Foo Bowling Green.

C. Cricket

The Challenge League (T20 format) team, the defending champions of Division 1, is having another strong campaign, with five wins and one loss this season. Currently in third place with a game in hand, they remain in contention for back-to-back titles.

The Saturday League (35-over format) team has faced challenges this season due to the departure of key players. Despite this, the team is determined to finish the season on a strong note and get stronger for next season and beyond.

As the season reaches its critical stage, both teams remain focused on delivering their best performances while the club continues to invest in long-term growth.

Off the field:

IRC is in the process of making significant investment in cricketing infrastructure, including installing a state-of art nets facility at the Club.

This initiative will not only provide our current teams with their very own training facility, but we also aim to attract new talent and expand our teams, including women’s and junior teams, ensuring a strong future for IRC cricket.

D. BADMINTON & TABLE TENNIS

Increased court booking indicate a growing enthusiasm among members for regular practice sessions.

Table Tennis has been reintroduced twice a week, and we hope it will gain popularity in the near future.

A major renovation of the Badminton and Table Tennis Hall (Function Hall) is planned, with work expected to begin in the second week of April 2025.

E. FOOD & BEVERAGE (F&B)

At IRC, we celebrate diverse culinary traditions. Our club is now fully equipped-both in manpower and infrastructure – to offer an exquisite fusion of authentic Indian and Chinese cuisine.

Whether you prefer fragrant biryanis or savor the umami flavors of stir-fried dishes, our chefs are delighted to serve you.

F. SOCIAL EVENTS

IRC is more than just a sports club- it is a vibrant community that fosters  connections. In 2024- 2025, we successfully introduced Diwali Day and Chinese New Year celebrations, which were well received by our members. Moving forward, we plan to introduce more community-focused events to further enrich our members’ experience.

G. NEWSLETTER

In 2024, we successfully reintroduced our monthly newsletter to keep members regularly updated about club activities.

H. LOOKING AHEAD

 As a community, we remain committed to upholding our core values and striving for excellence in all aspects of club life.

I extend my sincere gratitude to my colleagues on the General Committee for their hard work and dedication in improving and expanding club facilities.

I also want to thank every staff member for their unwavering commitment to the club’s success.

Finally, I express my deepest appreciation to all our members for your ongoing support and belief in our mission. Together, I am confident that we will continue to achieve even greater milestones in the days to come.

Best wishes,
Dr. Pradip Putatunda
President Indian Recreation Club

26.03.2025