Gabsi ready for Bermuda Bowl event<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Contract Bridge Association
\n(Gabsi) has hired a Canadian coach to guide the national team to
\nthe goal of its first Bermuda Bowl men's championship title ever
\nin 2000.<\/p>\n
Speaking after his induction as Gabsi chief for a second four-
\nyear term on Saturday, Gen. Wiranto explained that the new coach,
\nErick Hogges, would introduce the use of computers for
\nprobability computation, a method already applied by most Bermuda
\nBowl contenders.<\/p>\n
"We have to get used to the new system or we will lag behind
\nour rivals," Wiranto said. "The new appliance allows our players
\nto increase their ability to analyze so many probabilities, a
\nskill badly needed in this sport."<\/p>\n
Wiranto, who also chairs the Indonesian Karate-do Federation,
\nwas installed by National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo
\nArismunandar.<\/p>\n
Wiranto, who is also defense minister\/Armed Forces chief, said
\nhe was optimistic the national bridge team could succeed at the
\nBermuda Bowl.<\/p>\n
"All bridge powerhouses like Australia, the United States and
\nthose from Europe are intensively grooming their athletes for the
\nquadrennial event. I hope we can at least maintain what we
\nachieved."<\/p>\n
The association has also set a target for the national team to
\nwin the 2002 World Championship.<\/p>\n
Wiranto said he was satisfied with the national team's
\nperformance at the World Invitation Pairs in Bombay, India, which
\nconcluded on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Indonesia won the team event by beating China in the final,
\ncompleting a double after veterans Henky Lasut and Eddy Manoppo
\nfinished first in the individual event. Henky and Eddy collected
\n862 victory points after 31 rounds.<\/p>\n
Top pairs from Poland, England, Switzerland, Sweden, the
\nUnited States, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, Italy, the
\nNetherlands, Belgium, Germany, Japan and host India took part in
\nthe invitational event.<\/p>\n
"Our bridge players are more popular abroad than at home.
\nForeign players pay a lot of respect to our athletes," Wiranto
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Henky and Eddy will again spearhead the national team at the
\nPacific Asia Bridge Federation selection, the qualifying
\ntournament for the Bermuda Bowl, in Guangzhou, China, in the
\nmiddle of the year.<\/p>\n
Wiranto acknowledged his military duties kept him busy but
\npromised they would not infringe on his sports responsibilities.<\/p>\n
"Those are two different jobs. I won't mix one up with the
\nother," he said. "I hope none of my staff in Gabsi have vested
\ninterests, otherwise I will fire them. We are here to share our
\nthoughts, dedicate our time and energy and, sometimes, our own
\nmoney for the athletes' development." (yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gabsi-ready-for-bermuda-bowl-event-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}