Gabsi ready for Bermuda Bowl event
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Contract Bridge Association (Gabsi) has hired a Canadian coach to guide the national team to the goal of its first Bermuda Bowl men's championship title ever in 2000.
Speaking after his induction as Gabsi chief for a second four- year term on Saturday, Gen. Wiranto explained that the new coach, Erick Hogges, would introduce the use of computers for probability computation, a method already applied by most Bermuda Bowl contenders.
"We have to get used to the new system or we will lag behind our rivals," Wiranto said. "The new appliance allows our players to increase their ability to analyze so many probabilities, a skill badly needed in this sport."
Wiranto, who also chairs the Indonesian Karate-do Federation, was installed by National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar.
Wiranto, who is also defense minister/Armed Forces chief, said he was optimistic the national bridge team could succeed at the Bermuda Bowl.
"All bridge powerhouses like Australia, the United States and those from Europe are intensively grooming their athletes for the quadrennial event. I hope we can at least maintain what we achieved."
The association has also set a target for the national team to win the 2002 World Championship.
Wiranto said he was satisfied with the national team's performance at the World Invitation Pairs in Bombay, India, which concluded on Thursday.
Indonesia won the team event by beating China in the final, completing a double after veterans Henky Lasut and Eddy Manoppo finished first in the individual event. Henky and Eddy collected 862 victory points after 31 rounds.
Top pairs from Poland, England, Switzerland, Sweden, the United States, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Japan and host India took part in the invitational event.
"Our bridge players are more popular abroad than at home. Foreign players pay a lot of respect to our athletes," Wiranto said.
Henky and Eddy will again spearhead the national team at the Pacific Asia Bridge Federation selection, the qualifying tournament for the Bermuda Bowl, in Guangzhou, China, in the middle of the year.
Wiranto acknowledged his military duties kept him busy but promised they would not infringe on his sports responsibilities.
"Those are two different jobs. I won't mix one up with the other," he said. "I hope none of my staff in Gabsi have vested interests, otherwise I will fire them. We are here to share our thoughts, dedicate our time and energy and, sometimes, our own money for the athletes' development." (yan)