Balijee Int’l Bridge gets under way today

LAHORE: The 16h version of Balijee International Bridge Championship will get underway on Friday and the activity will continue till March 26 at the Bridge playing arena of Lahore Gymkhana.

This was stated by Ajaz Ahmed of Yummy Milk Products, in a briefing, and he further highlighted that the international event is being held in memory of his late father Muhammad Iqbal profoundly known to his fraternity as Balijee.

Ajaz Ahmad also stated that six international teams are participating in this championship for lucrative cash prizes and honours. As in the past these teams are being provided full boarding and lodging facilities.

These accomplished players of the international bridge scene are from Kuwait, India and Dubai. Other international teams were also invited but they continue to show reservations. The Tournament Director Ihsan Qadir stated that 10 teams have confirmed participation from Karachi, 8 from Lahore, 4 from Rawalpindi/Islamabad, one team each from Multan and Hyderabad which makes the participation to the maximum capacity of the tournament.

Nine players are from India and includes the pair of Sapan Desai and Subash Gupta who ended up as runners up in 2017. Then there is the Team MAYA MEERA SNEHA which is considered a team of strength and immense capabilities and likely to fare well in this Championship.

No doubt with the participation of reputed players the Competition is becoming tougher and cohesive and tenacious efforts are required to win top positions.

Based on evaluation of team expertise and proficiencies the strong contenders of this event would be The Teams, Maya Meera Sneha, Hadi IV, Bilals, Data Steel, Aces, Gaints, Alvis, Holdem and Tariq Aces.

As for the Balijee Bridge Championship there will be three session pairs contest and participating players will face 75 % of the opponents who are registered as competitors, This will be held in on day one and also extend to the first half of day two. Top five Pairs will receive handsome cash prizes and the top two will get Trophies in addition. A running Trophy will also be awarded to the winner.

The chief organiser is Ihsan Qadir who is also associated with World Bridge Federation and his team includes Azwerul Haq and Sarfraz Butt.