RI aims to win PABF bridge meet

RI aims to win PABF bridge meet

Moch. N. Kurniawan, Jakarta

Indonesia has set itself the target of winning the Pacific
Asia Bridge Federation (PABF) championship to be staged in
Chinese Taipei between July 10 and 18.

Indonesia, which triumphed last year, its 12th win in as many
occasions, will head to this year's edition with four teams to
compete in the open category.

The teams are North Sulawesi (Sulut), Indonesia-Japan, Pemuda
Pancasila and Gunadharma.

North Sulawesi comprises Henky Lasut, Eddy Manoppo, Tommy
Rogi, and Octa Wohon and Pemuda Pancasila consists of Bert Toar
Polii, Memed Hendrawan, Taufik G. Asbi, Farley Sumual and Yappy
Kojongian.

The Gunadharma team has yet to announce its players, while the
Indonesia-Japan team is actually made up four nationalities --
Chieko Yamazaki of Japan; Alan Sia of Malaysia; Ming Hsuan-wu of
Chinese Taipei; and Indonesians Santje Panelewen and Franky
Karwur.

Indonesia will also send two women's teams. However,
Indonesian Contract Bridge Association (Gabsi) deputy secretary
Bert Toar Polii said the women would be content to finish in the
top three.

"(Indonesian open teams) will be competing hard against the
host country, Chinese Taipei, in the tournament," Bert said on
the sidelines of the Wiranto Cup here on Sunday, when asked about
Indonesia's likely rivals.

Vita Lasut, Polii, Mita Angkouw, and Chintiha Manueke make up
the North Sulawesi women's team, while Angelina Crockwell and
Phoebe Lin of the Philippines will team up with Lusje Olha Bojoh,
Joice Mandolang Tueje and Suci Amita Dewi for the Indonesia-
Philippines team.

Bert said Gabsi had decided against sending a junior and
senior team to the tournament due to a lack of funds.

The tournament will begin in a qualifying stage with the top
eight teams in each category advancing to the finals in a round-
robin competition.

Indonesia won the open, women's and junior competitions last
year -- a qualifying field for the prestigious Bermuda Bowl.

Meanwhile, the inaugural Wiranto Cup concluded on Sunday with
a team from North Sulawesi emerging as the winner in the open
competition, with 146 points, followed by a Central Java team,
with 128 points.

South Sumatra won the best women's team title while Gunadharma
won best youth team.