KARACHI, May 4: Pakistan's American coach John Carruthers has launched an extensive coaching of the Pakistan team for the 14th Asia and Middle East bridge championship, starting at the Carlton Hotel from May 12 to 12.

Seven men teams representing defending champion India, runners-up Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Jordan, Syria and host Pakistan will be featuring in the competition.

Carruthers, a renowned bridge columnist and editor of the International Bridge Press Bulletin, has started giving briefing on latest gadgetry system and improvement, Pakistan Bridge Federation (PBF) secretary Tariq Rasheed Khan said on Friday.

Allana, spearheaded by Abdul Rehman Allana, which is representing Pakistan in the Open event, has hired the services of the US expert for a fortnight, the secretary said.

Besides Allana, Jan-e-Alam Fazli, Javed Miran, Tahir Masud, Rashid Jafer and Sarfraz Ahmed Khan also took part in the training.

Carruthers, besides coaching men team, also imparted training to Pakistan women team.

Winners and runners-up of men and women open team event will qualify to play in Bermuda Bowl and Venice Cup scheduled to be held in Shanghai, China, in September.—APP