PANJIM: The likelihood of Goa hosting it’s first truly international bridge sporting event, further brightens up as the state Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar met the visiting WBF President Gianarrigo Rona, at Assembly Complex in Porvorim.
| BUILDING BRIDGES: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar alongwith WBF President Gianarrigo Rona and other dignitaries at Assembly Complex in Porvorim. |
Rona was accompanied by Bridge Federation of India President NRK Moorthy, vice-presidents Rajagopal and Prasad Keni and state association president AK Jahgirda. Moorthy appraised the CM of India’s bid to host the World Championship in Goa in 2015. Keni explained that the championship, held in odd numbered years is being hosted in Bali in September 2013 and drew parallels between the two locales.
Rona made a presentation to the CM, who also holds the Education portfolio, on the value of bridge being introduced into the school curriculum, and it’s benefits to students. He cited how an ongoing experiment in rural Madhya Pradesh where students of an entire village school, who were taught to and continue to play bridge, perform far better than their peers in other villages throughout the district. He also explained that research by leading universities in the West reveal that bridge when played by seniors, delays the onset of Alzheimers’ as well as improves the human immune system.
Parrikar blessed the bid effort and promised all support if the bid is successful. He informed Rona that the indoor stadium complex for the upcoming Lusofonia Games would be an ideal venue to hold the world championships. Rona explained the Championships’ Technical Committee will visit the state in September this year after which the fate of the venue will be decided.
Earlier in the day Rona alongwith officials of the BFI and GBA met with state Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar. Arijit Guha, secretary BFI, made a presentation on bridge as an internationally recognized mind sport. Prasad Keni disclosed that more than one million Chinese school kids are currently practicing the game as a school system approved activity. Rona explained that the game is suitable for children of any background, urban or rural, and has made a big difference to arithmetic, logic and reasoning skills in both English and non-English speaking groups the world over.
