Bridge: Pakistan's abilities commended by WBF, BFAME
Pakistan Times Sports Desk

KARACHI: Top officials of World Bridge Federation (WBF) and Bridge Federation of Asia and Middle East (BFAME) has showered praise and compliments to Pakistan Bridge Federation (PBF) for high class conduct of Peek Freans 14th Asia and Middle East Championship.

Speaking at the prize distribution at a Hotel here, WPB President Jose Damiani congratulated Pakistan for successfully and magnificently conducting the championship.

"Its wonderful championship organised in a professional manner with most modern system used to give it live on the internet," WBF Chief said while speaking at gathering in presence of galaxy bridge stars of Pakistan including Zia Mahmood, Masood Saleem, Jane Alam Fazli, Rashid-ul-Ghazi and top bridge players from across the border.

President of BFAME Ghassan Ghanem from Jordan declared its best championship he had ever seen. He praised the peoples of Pakistan for their lovely hospitality and love.

He congratulated WBP President Rehana Saigol and Secretary Tariq Rasheed Khan and his team for their remarkable effort to make the championship a great success.

He assured the participants that next championship which will be staged in Damascus (Syria) in 2009 will be at least participated by eight countries.

Ghassan said he was disappointed with the lack of entries in the championship.

Zia Mahmood, one of the top bridge stars in the world, said he started playing bridge as a young man with Masood Saleem and other friends in small clubs and slums but this is the best championship he had ever seen.

Later Jose Damiani, WBP Vice President Mazhar Jafri, Zia Mahmood, Sadia Naveed of EBM and Indian senior players also distributed the prizes.

Indian team led by their captain Ashok Goel received the Zakaria Adamji Trophy for winning the Open competition. Indians also won the seniors.

Jordanian women team received Vindodini Goenka Trophy after dethroning the eight-time India in the final.●