The HCL-42nd World bridge championship was formally put on board on Saturday night, paving the way for auctions based on established systems and excitement that can run concurrently through finesses and squeezes over a hectic fortnight ahead.
It was an evening to remember as the 650-odd competitors and invited guests were treated to traditional grandeur through the 90-minute opening ceremony of which the musical display — led by noted keyboard exponent Stephen Devassy — was clearly the highlight.
That the Bridge Federation of India, led by its president N.R. Kirubakara Moorthy, was well on track with the finer organisational aspects of hosting such a mega sporting event for the first time in the country was also evident right through the opener, catching the competitors from 35 countries by surprise.
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The crowd’s attention was drawn straightaway as the 45-minute long musical medley that emphasised on a fusion between east and west kicked off the evening and took it to dizzy heights before the event was formally inaugurated by the HCL chairman, Dr. Shiv Nadar.
In his address, Dr. Nadar touched upon the similarity on how businessmen moved from one quarter to other just as bridge players across the world moved from one part of the globe to other to get into competitive play.
The president of the World Bridge Federation, Gianarrigo Rono, was all praise for the arrangements made by the BFI and hoped that the players from the various participating countries would match this up with some memorable display. Kirubakara Moothy welcomed the gathering.
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The first three rounds of round-robin matches for all the three events — Bermuda Bowl (men), Venice Cup (women) and d’Orsi Trophy (seniors) — will be held on Sunday, with the first round scheduled for 11 a.m. at the ITC Grand Chola.