RI bridge team aiming high in Monte Carlo

Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

After failures in the quarterfinals of the last two editions of the Open Team competition, the Indonesian contract-bridge team headed on Wednesday to the World Bridge Championships with its sights firmly set on winning the Seniors Team competition.

The world bridge meet is being held in Monte Carlo, Monaco, from Nov. 2 to Nov. 15. Three trophies are up for grabs: the Bermuda Bowl in the Open Team, Venice Cup in the Ladies Team and Seniors Bowl in the Seniors Team competitions.

The Seniors Team competition is participated in by the over- 55s.

Indonesia, which secured its championship berths after a successful run in the qualifying matches in Manila in early September, is sending 18 players to Monte Carlo.

Two-time Olympiad runner-up, Indonesia reached the quarterfinals in the last two editions of the Bermuda Bowl in Bermuda 2000 and Paris 2001 only to lose out to Norway on both occasions.

"We will be seeking to play our best at the next championships. Our efforts must be carried out based on a strategic plan. We have assessed our strengths and weaknesses.

"Based on that assessment, we're banking on the Seniors competition," Miranda S. Goeltom, the chairwoman of the Indonesian Contract Bridge Association (Gabsi), told reporters here before the team's departure on Wednesday.

To ensure success in the Seniors championship, the team will field Eddy Manoppo, 57, and Henky Lasut, 56. The prominent Indonesian pair used to play in the Open Team.

They will be supported by the pairings of Denny Sacul and Arwin Budirahardja, and Harsudi Supandi and WD Karamoy.

While the Bermuda Bowl has been staged since 1950, this will only be the second edition of the Seniors Bowl in the championships. The United States won the inaugural competition in Paris in 2001.

Eddy and Henky looked disappointed with the association's decision to play them in the Seniors Bowl, which is obviously less prestigious that the Bermuda Bowl.

However, they said that they would do their best to win the trophy.

"We will still be able to play in the Bermuda Bowl. However, I have to accept what has been decided for the good of the team as a whole," Henky said during a meeting with officials of the National Sports Council (KONI) and reporters.

Buoyed by his past Olympiad run, Henky expressed his optimism, saying: "We managed to finish as runner-up in the Olympiad, which normally consists of stronger opponents than the Seniors Team does."

In the Bermuda Bowl, the team will field Robert P. Tobing/Taufik G. Asbi, Franky S. Karwur/Santje Panelewen and Stefanus Supeno/Santoso Sie.

The ladies team will be made up of Lusje Bojoh/Joice Mandolan, Fera Damayanti/Riantini and Elita Syofian/Amelia.