KARACHI, Jan 5: Mazhar Jafri, the President of the Pakistan chapter of the Federation of Asia and Middle East and Senior Vice President of the World Bridge Federation, on Sunday termed bridge superstar Zia Mahmood the “only complete bridge player” of the present times.

Speaking at a special bridge evening arranged by the Pakistan Bridge Federation on Sunday to honour the superstar, Jafri said Zia had done Pakistan proud and he would always remain an envy of bridge players in Pakistan.

Jafri recalled seeing Zia for the first time in 1973, when he made his international debut at the Far East Bridge Championship in Hong Kong.

He said he had seen Zia grow in stature over the last three decades, emerging as one of the best bridge players in the world.

Jafri said Zia Mahmood was a household name with millions of bridge players all over the world.

He said in whichever country he met bridge players and introduced himself, the first response almost invariably was “so you are from Zia Mahmood’s country”.

He said no matter whether Zia Mahmood lived in London or in New York, at heart he remained a true Pakistani.

He congratulated the Pakistan Bridge Federation and its president, Rehana Saigol, for organizing the event. —APP