August 01, 2008	Friday	Rajab 28, 1429

KARACHI, July 31: India and Bangladesh have confirmed their participation in the inaugural Mind Sports Games, being staged at the Southend Club here from August 14-17.

“We have received confirmation from India, Bangladesh for the games,” Chairman of Mind Sports Association (MSAP) Khurshid Hadi said on Wednesday. “We are awaiting confirmation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sri Lanka.”

For the first time in history, mind sports such as bridge, chess and scrabble will be held under one platform. “Participation of foreign players will make it more interesting and competitive,” said Khurshid. “Our objectives is to popularise these games among the youth and make it an instant success to build the image of the country,” he maintained. “Mind Games means intelligence and our motto and endeavour is to promote it.”

He added that efforts were being made to bring in reigning world women chess champion Koneru Humpy of India who may be appearing in the open chess event too.

The director of MSAP, Tariq Rasheed Khan said China, Indonesia had also agreed to feature in the event provided they were extended full boarding, lodging and air passage for the games. “We are trying to secure sponsorship for the Chinese and Indonesians and if we succeeded in doing, so it will raise the status of the championship,” he hoped.

Around 1000 players in bridge, chess, scrabble will be vying for honours in the competition carrying over one million rupees in prize money.

Eight round open and youth championship will be part of chess events and in bridge open team, individual and youth (Under-28) events will be contested while masters, doubles, intermediate categories events will be held in scrabble.

The basic purpose of holding of the mind games is to finaliae a Pakistan contingent for World Mind Games, to be held in Beijing in October this year.

—APP