KARACHI: World’s top eleven nations have been extended invitations to compete in the second edition of Pakistan Day International Bridge Championship which is scheduled to be held at the Southend Club hall from March 21-23, Pakistan Bridge Federation (PBF) announced on Friday.

“This premier international event will provide our players a great opportunity to raise their game by playing against the top players of the world,” Director PBF Tariq Rasheed said here.

Giving details, he said PBF, Mind Sports Association of Pakistan and Karachi Bridge Association (KBA) are jointly hosting this major event which carries an amount of $20,000 in prizemoney.

The winning team will get $7,000 whle the runners-up will pick $5,000. The rest of the money will be distributed among the teams ranking from third to fifth and other lower ranked teams.

The event will be ideal preparation for Pakistan players ahead of the Bridge Federation of Asian and Middle East (BFAME) Bridge Championship and Bermuda Bowl— World Bridge Championship.

Teams invited for the championship include Australia, Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Jordan, Malaysia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America and United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“Last year, eight foreign teams featured in the event and we are expecting same number of entries this time,” he said.

“PBF revived this international event in 2014 after the lapse of 16 years and it turned out to be a memorable one,” said Tariq. “This will be a great opportunity for our players to rub shoulders with top-notch bridge players from overseas.”

UK’s leading bridge players and twin brothers Jason Hacketts and Justin Hacketts won the team title in 2014.

Besides teams from America, Europe and Asia, around 20 Pakistan teams including prominent ones like national champions Puri Estate, Aces, Allana, Data Steel, Bilal, Hadi, Hold’em, PK, JK, Sabres, Talpur will be in the fray.

Tariq added that all the foreign participating teams will be provided free boarding and lodging by the organising committee.

Pakistan’s bridge legend Zia Mahmood may also take part in the championship. After the pairs event set for opening day of March 21, the two-day team event will formally begin from March 22.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2015

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