Indonesia to host 2001 World Bridge C'ships

JAKARTA (JP): The World Bridge Federation's (WBF) 2001 World Bridge Championships will be either in Jakarta or Bali.

WBF decided the venue at last year's Bridge Olympiad in Greece, where Indonesia finished second behind France.

The Indonesian Contract Bridge Association's Jakarta chapter will organize general National Bridge championships and National Bridge Championships for university students, to prepare for the event.

"Holding the two events will be our early preparation for the world event in four years time. Especially the national students championships, because universities are the best place to find new talent for this brain sport," said the organizing committee's chief Sidi Purnomo.

The national championships from July 12 to July 20 will comprise six major events. The university student's championships will be from July 20 to July 25.

The general national championships will be in East Jakarta's Haj dormitory. Nine hundred players from throughout the country will compete.

Indonesia's world ranked bridge players from Manado, North Sulawesi, and from Jakarta will represent their respective regions in the play for top honors.

Jakarta's team, Denny Sacul, Munawar Sawiruddin, Bert Polii and Ferdy Waluyan, are expected to meet Manado in the final. Manado's team includes Hengky Lasut and Eddy Manoppo.

The university students' tournament will be at South Jakarta's Sumantri Brodjonegoro students' sports center.

The bridge association is paying serious attention to the biennial event that offers Rp 16 million in cash prizes. (rsl).