RI names team for Far East Bridge

RI names team for Far East Bridge

JAKARTA (JP): A blend of both seasoned and junior players will make up the Indonesian team for the Far East Bridge Championships in Perth next week.

Veteran pairs Denny Sakul/Franky Kawur, Munawar Sawiruddin/Bert Toar Polii and Henky Lasut/Eddy Manoppo will form the backbone of the men's team. The women's team is also fielding three pairs: Joice Mandolang/Lusje Boyoh, Sarce Pontoh/Vonnie Djadja, and Waya Langkay/Winda M. Sumenge.

In the junior event the male pairs are: Jemmy Boyoh/Djems Polii, Nofri Kaligis/Jemmy Angkouw and Taufik Nasution/Agus Kus Trijanto.

"We decided on the line-up after long and careful consideration, with our sole concern being the winning of berths in the bigger tournaments," chairman of the Indonesian Bridge Association, Wiranto, said on Monday.

Only the winner and runner-up of each division in the May 26- July 6 tournament in Perth will qualify for the world championships.

A total of 12 men's teams and 10 women's teams from Asia and Oceania will be vying for places in the Bermuda Bowl and Venice Cup respectively in Beijing next October. Host China has already secured its tickets to both quadrennial bridge events.

The junior world championship will be held in Denpasar, Bali from July 8 to July 17.

"We are keen to make a little history this year by appearing in both the Bermuda Bowl and the Venice Cup," said Wiranto. Indonesia is among Bermuda Bowl regulars, but has never yet qualified for the Venice Cup.

National team manager Roy E. Tirtadji said it looked as though his squads would have an easier path as a result of arch rival China's being given automatic entry to the world championships.

"We need only to keep an eye on Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong and Japan, which are no better than our teams," Roy said. Other strong contenders, Australia and New Zealand, will turn up for the Far East championships as non-competitors. (amd)