JAKARTA, Oct 9: The decision by the World Bridge Federation (WBF) to move the 2001 world championship from Bali to Paris because of security concerns has drawn criticism from Indonesia’s local bridge club, news reports said Tuesday.

On Sept 25, the WBF decided to change the venue of the biennial bridge contest after several participating teams withdrew in the wake of growing anti-foreigner - specially anti-American - sentiment in predominately Muslim Indonesia.

A spokesman of the Indonesian Contract Bridge Association (Gabsi) said the organization is seeking compensation for its time and money wasted, The Jakarta Post reported.

The Indonesian bridge club is seeking compensation from WBF for the US$280,000 it invested in preparations for the Bali tournament, he added.

Currently, Indonesia holds the men’s world bridge title, called the Bermuda Bowl.—dpa