WBF moves Bermuda Bowl from Bali<\/p>\n
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Contract Bridge Association (Gabsi) has
\nexpressed its disappointment with the World Bridge Federation's
\n(WBF) decision to move the 2001 world championships from Bali to
\nParis following the Sept. 11 terror attacks.<\/p>\n
\"Gabsi campaigned for two years to host the championships in
\nBali before the WBF agreed to our proposal during its 2000
\ncongress in the Netherlands,\" Gabsi official responsible for
\nathlete development Bertje Polii told The Jakarta Post on Monday.<\/p>\n
He said Gabsi had spent some US$280,000 to prepare the
\nchampionships and now the organization was trying to seek
\ncompensation from the federation.<\/p>\n
The federation canceled Bali as the venue on Sept. 25 and
\nnamed Paris as the replacement three days after several
\nparticipating teams withdrew from the event because of the
\nworsening security situation in the country, the federation's
\nofficial website www.bridge.gr said.<\/p>\n
Several Muslim groups have conducted or threatened an ID check
\non U.S. nationals in the country following the Sept. 11 attacks.
\nThe apparent retaliation move by the U.S. on Afghanistan on
\nSunday further justified the WBF's decision to scrap the bridge
\nevent from Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"Gabsi received the letters last week and we held a meeting
\nlast Thursday to discuss the cancellation,\" said Bertje.<\/p>\n
The federation, he said, has offered Indonesia to host the
\n2003 event, but Gabsi has yet to respond.<\/p>\n
\"We will have to review the situation first. We will take the
\noffer if our country is in better condition. Otherwise, we will
\nsuffer another cancellation,\" he said.<\/p>\n
As for Indonesia's participation in the biennial event, Gabsi
\nis continuing its training program for its athletes, which has
\nbeen running since 1994.<\/p>\n
Currently, Indonesia holds the men's world bridge title, known
\nalso as the Bermuda Bowl.<\/p>\n
Gabsi is preparing three pairs to defend the title through
\nEddi Manoppo and Hengky Lasut, Frank Karwur and Denny Sacul, and
\nSantje Panelean and Robert Tobing.<\/p>\n
In the women's division, Lusye Boyo and Elita Sofyan, Riantini
\nand Irma Korengkeng, and Nana and Suci will represent Indonesia
\nin the women's event of the Venice Cup.<\/p>\n
In a separate development, spokesman of the Indonesian Tennis
\nAssociation (Pelti), Benny Mailili, told the Post that the second
\nWismilak WTA Tour would still be played in Surabaya despite the
\nnew tension created by the U.S. attacks in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
\"The tournament will go on despite the attacks and I haven't
\nreceived any information on any cancellations yet,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"But if foreign players withdraw or cancel their Indonesian
\ntrip, it will be a blessing in disguise because our women's
\ntennis players will have a greater chance at improving their
\nworld ranking or taking most of the $110,000 in prize money.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/wbf-moves-bermuda-bowl-from-bali-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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