Navy stages 16th KASAL Cup bridge tournament

Navy stages 16th KASAL Cup bridge tournament

JAKARTA (JP): To show its commitment to the development of
contract bridge in the country, the Indonesian Navy is staging a
competition at the Navy Officers House on Jl. Prapatan in Central
Jakarta.

Organized by the Jakarta-based Navy's Sea Military Command
(Kolinlamil), the Navy is hosting an internal contract bridge
tournament for its personnel on Thursday and Friday prior to the
16th Navy Chief of Staff (KASAL) Cup open tournament, which will
take place on Saturday and Sunday.

"The Navy has an emotional attachment to bridge because one of
its personnel, Lt. Willy Roring, pioneered the establishment of
the Indonesian Contract Bridge Association (Gabsi) in 1953 and
was its first chairman," Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Indroko
Sastrowiryono said in a written statement read by Deputy Chief of
Staff Vice Adm. Fred Salem Lonan.

"The biennial KASAL Cup has been recognized as one of Gabsi's
events since 1973 and the Navy will always support the sport," he
added, while urging Navy's bridge players to improve their
skills.

One hundred and three players from naval bases and units
nationwide will take part in the internal tournament in two
events: team-of-four and pairs.

For the open tournament, the registration is still open for
interested participants.

Lonan opened the tournament on Thursday by playing one
session. He teamed up with Kolinlamil's Rear Adm. JFA Manengkei
against Ontowiryo and Frans Wenas, who are retired Navy colonels.

They told The Jakarta Post later that bridge was useful for
Navy personnel.

"Most of our personnel spend their time on board warships or
in the barracks playing bridge.

"It teaches you how to cooperate with your partner, build
strategy and tactics, and train your mental capacity. Playing
more than 10 boards can easily drain your stamina," Wenas said.

Manengkei said bridge was also useful in developing strategies
for real combat.

"We have to consider several open possibilities in bridge,
which is similar to what happens on the battlefield. You can't
play according to the textbook," he said.

Records show that several Gabsi's officials are Navy officers.
Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Adm. Widodo AS is known as an
excellent bridge player, while Rear Adm. Joost F. Mengko is
Gabsi's executive chairman. Manengkei himself chairs the Navy's
bridge club.

"The Navy always sends its bridge players to all the bridge
national championships. We expect to have our personnel on the
national team sometime in the future," said Manengkei. (nvn)