National bridge league launched for everyone
National bridge league launched for everyone
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The inaugural National Bridge League (NBL) is set to begin
next week with organizers claiming it aims to provide Indonesian
players with equal opportunities to play in tournaments.
"The league will give them the chance of being included in the
national team for international tournaments," Michael Bambang
Hartono, from the organizers, told a media conference at Bung
Karno Sports Complex, Central Jakarta, on Monday.
Indonesia is one of the strongest countries in the world at
bridge, with the 2000 IOC Grand Prix championship trophy being
its crowning achievement.
However, the team seems to have become too dependent on old
faces like Eddy Manoppo and Henky Lasut, to mention two of the
few veteran bridge stars, a bad indication that there are few
younger players to replace them in the future.
The league operates its competitions independently to the
Indonesian Contract Bridge Association (Gabsi) which so far
supervises national bridge development.
Eka Wahyu, one of the organizers, said that the league was
open to all Indonesian players, be it novices or national
players.
"All bridge players are allowed to take part. There is no
restriction on their level of play. And we give the winners free
passage to international tournaments," Eka said.
The league has a six-month cycle with games being played in
separate towns every month, in a one-day competition. The first
round, which offers a total of Rp 30 million (US$2,885) in cash
prizes, will run from January to June and the second from July to
December.
The organizers confirmed that 15 towns in 13 provinces had
joined the first round of the league with the opening games
scheduled for Jan. 20.
"We hope there will be more towns in the competition," Eka
said, adding that local organizers have been given the authority
to hold a tournament if they could register at least 10 pairs.
The participants compete in their respective local tournaments
at the same time and play the same array of cards distributed by
the organizers from Jakarta in sealed envelopes.
"This is to ensure there will be no cheating in the
tournaments. Mobile phones are also banned during play," Eka
added.
The organizers are seeking 24 pairs for the final in Jakarta
in July. The top ten pairs in the league will automatically
qualify for the final, while the remaining 14 places will be
provided in a playoff.
The playoff will be staged in Palembang, South Sumatra, where
as many as 48 pairs selected from local competitions will
participate.
The winning pairs and runners-up will go to the Intercity
Championship in Hong Kong, which will run from July 30 to Aug. 4.
Indonesia won the championship back in 1986 courtesy of Bert
Toar Polii and Memed Hendrawan. The former is currently the
deputy secretary of the new league.