RI gears up for world bridge c'ship

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is gearing up for the Bermuda Bowl championship, fielding three teams in the world invitational bridge tournament in Kuta, Bali, which opened yesterday.

A total of 11 teams from nine countries entered the international bridge meet scheduled to wind up on Sunday. The Indonesian Bridge Association (GABSI) is holding the tournament along with the world junior championships which are also underway also in Kuta to celebrate the country's 50th anniversary.

The national teams, featuring the players who lifted for Indonesia the Far East Bridge Championship title in Perth last month, will meet Australia, Japan, China, Canada, Egypt, England, the Netherlands and India in 32 games.

China will play host to the Bermuda Bowl in October this year.

Deny Sakul, Eddy Manoppo, Frangky Karwur, Hengky Lasut, Bert Toar Polii, Munawar Sawiruddin, who will form the backbone of the national squad in the Bermuda Bowl, make up the Banteng team in Kuta.

Their second string team, consisting of Jeldy Tontey, Memed Hendrawan, Sance Panelewen, Geovani Watulingas and Taufik Asbi, make up the Harimau team.

Hasyim Arief, Noldy George, Dadan Waradia, Didiet Ismunandar, Benny Wolf, and Julius Kasenda make up the Pattimura team.

Earlier on Tuesday night, the Indonesian team ended its losing streak with a surprising 17-13 win over China in their fifth game at the world junior championship, as pacesetter England stayed atop of the standings.

Indonesia, fielding its best pairs of Jemmu Tumewu/Ananta Dapu and Taufik Nasution/Agus Kustrijanto, broke its 10-year-old jinx against China. The national junior squad was hammered 4-25 in the Far East championships last month.

However, Tuesday's victory failed to save Indonesia from the wooden spoon. Indonesia has collected only 38 victory points after playing five games.

England beat New Zealand 23-7 on Tuesday to share the top spot with Canada, which thrashed Japan 25-3. Both favorites led the 12-field tournament with 128 points. Italy came third after its 15-15 draw with Denmark.

Indonesian juniors qualified for the world meet for the first time ever as the hosts. (amd)