The 42nd World Bridge championship to be held in Chennai from September 26th

World Bridge Championships will be held in Chennai

In just about a month’s time Chennai will host the 42nd edition of the World Bridge Team championship under the auspices of the Bridge Federation of India (BFI). The September 26 to October 10 programme for the Bermuda Bowl (Open event), Venice Cup ( for women) and d ‘Orsi’bowl (for seniors) will be a first in India and bridge enthusiasts believe this will also give this mind- sport a much-needed boost in the country.

In all competitors from 35 countries are expected to descend in this metropolis to vie for honours. They have been selected for this prestigious biennial championship from a field of 107 countries through an elaborate process of inter-zone competitions. As Mr N.R. Kribakara Moorthy, President of the BFI, who along with his team has been working hard for this big day in India, put it, “once the championship ends here the process for the next edition begins.”

Recently a group of top BFI officials Mr Kawaljit Singh (Vice President), Mr . S. Sundareshan (Vice President), Mr Prasad V. Keni (Vice President) ,led by Mr Moorthy met the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mr Sarbananda Sonowal in New Delhi and apprised him of BFI plans and sought Government’s support for what is a rare honour for the country.

Not only was the Minister enthusiastic about the event but recommended the setting up of a ‘Bridge Foundation’ to promote the sport, especially among the youth. Mr Sonowal acknowledged the sport as a ‘great stress buster’ and said bridge had to be promoted in our fast-paced modern world. Bridge can be introduced in schools too, he advised.

How well ‘bridge’ has helped businessmen and professionals the world over can be gauged from the lives of two of the richest men, Bill Gates and Warren Buffet who are both passionately involved in the game. “Bridge has got to be the best intellectual exercise out there,” Mr Buffet had said.

The Sports Minister hoped that the World Championship will prove a point in the history of ‘bridge’in India and break misconceptions that it is a mere card game.

With the guidance of the Honourable Minister the BFI hopes that the sport will grow and flourish in India. The Federation is also leaving no stone unturned to make this championship a grand spectacle in Chennai, that would earn all the public support befitting a competition of this stature.