Message from the WBF Presiden

The start of the New Year is always a time for reflection – for looking back over the past twelve months and remembering all that happened, and looking forward to the next year with hope and anticipation.

2008 was a momentous one for the World Bridge Federation, as we joined forces with Chess, Draughts, Go and Xianqi under the auspices of the International Mind Sports Association and took part in the first World Mind Sport Games in Beijing.

Our colleagues in the Chinese Bridge Federation rose magnificently to the challenge of staging such a large event, which was held in venues previously utilised for the 2008 Olympic Games. It was a wonderful experience for us to be lodged within the Olympic Complex, close to the icons of the games, the Birds Nest Stadium and the Water Cube.

Of course there were some problems – organising an event of this type for the first time will inevitably throw up unforeseen difficulties, but I believe that everyone rose magnificently to the challenges to achieve a fantastic event especially with the enormous financial help we provided in order to promote the Junior and Women’s events.

I am sure those of you who were there will remember hearing the IMSA Anthem for the first time at the Opening Ceremony, and the flag bearers from all the countries represented in Beijing entering the packed stadium, followed by a great dance show.

It was an unforgettable start to these great Championships.

There were over 2,000 bridge players competing in the various Championship events, including of course, the record-breaking Junior Championships. We all congratulate the winners of course, but also those who did not win, as in the true Olympian Spirit, they recognise that it is taking part that is more important.

There was so much publicity for these Championships – they were televised, and you can click here to download the programme files. There are links to them on WBF Website and also from the ECatsBridge site, where you will also find links to all the results, not only for the Bridge but also for the other Mind Sports; the Medal tables; photographs and other videos; the bidding, play and hand records; press releases; even blogs from the events. If you are looking for specific information, please email Anna Gudge (anna@ecats.co.uk) – Anna will, I know, do her best to help.

I would like to take this opportunity of thanking a few people – in particular the Chinese Bridge Federation for all that they did to ensure the success of this wonderful event. To my colleagues within IMSA and of course on the WBF Executive Council for their support, their friendship and their solidarity. To all those who worked with the WBF before, during and after the event. And to the many NBOs and players who supported the event and came with your enthusiasm to create a new and exciting Championship. Without you our work is worthless and it is because of you that we all work to a great bridge future.

2009 will be a difficult year for all of us. The economic pressures will be great but I am sure we will all do our best to ensure that, especially perhaps for our young players – the future of our game – the downturn doesn’t affect their future within bridge. We will all do our best to ensure that costs are kept to a minimum, the economies are made so that we can continue to promote bridge and build on our past success.

The first event of 2009 will, as always, be a Simultaneous Pairs, played at the end of January with the proceeds going to UNESCO. Please email Anna Gudge (anna@ecats.co.uk) if your club wishes to participate in this event. And please join us for the 2009 World Wide Bridge Contest on 5^th & 6^th June.

The WBF Women’s Committee has inaugurated a series of online tournaments for women players, and there will be an online Women’s Bridge Festival in April – details of these can be found on the new Women’s Bridge Club website.

The World Youth Bridge Championship will be held in Turkey from 15^th – 23^rd August, with transnational teams and pairs events for players born on or after 1^st January 1984. More details can be found on the WBF Website and at ECatsBridge. We look to NBOs to promote this event and to encourage youngsters to participate. It is so important for them to be able to join other like-minded players within their own age group, to enjoy not only the challenge of the bridge, but the interaction with fellow enthusiasts. Please try and assist them so that they can come to Turkey and show the world that bridge is a young, vibrant and exciting sport.

FISU is also organising an online tournament for University Students – details have been emailed to the NBOs and are also on the WBF Website and at ECatsBridge – it is easy for the students to enter, and I am sure may university students will be interested, so I hope you will assist us by letting as many people know about this as possible.

2009 is the year of the World Bridge Teams Championships, which will be held in São Paulo, Brazil, from 29^th August – 12^th September. The Championships comprise the Bermuda Bowl, Venice Cup and Seniors Bowl for the teams qualified from their Zonal Championships, plus, of course, the World Transnational Open Teams Championship, open to all players in good standing with their Federation. Again, we look to the NBOs to promote this challenging and exciting event among their members and hope to see many teams competing.

So, Bert Toar, I am sure you will agree that 2008 was a great year to look back on and remember and I hope that you will find 2009 continues in the same vein. I wish you and yours a very peaceful, happy and healthy year, and look forward to working with you to promote not only our great game of bridge but also our concept of “Bridge for Peace”

José Damiani
President