Andhra Pradesh is a progressive province of south India, taking developmental strides in many spheres of life that can be compared with other advanced and flourishing states of that country. But the sporting activities have yet to pick up the desired tempo, which includes the area of the intellectual sport of bridge.
As far as the game of bridge is concerned, the President of the Bridge Federation of India, Yadama Kamalakara Rao, who hails from the same province, gave an exclusive interview to the Business Recorder regarding the state of affairs in the game presently obtaining in India.
BR. How long you have been associated with the game of bridge?
Answer. You see I have been an ardent bridge player since my younger days and took part in competitive bridge events in many parts of India. I dare say that I have some good record to my credit in the tournaments. But for the last twenty-two years, I have been inducted into the administrative and organizing activities of bridge in the country.
I was elected first to the post of secretary of the Bridge Federation of India for eight years, then vice president for eight years and now I am the president of the Federation for the last six years.
BR. Could you recount the progress of the federation since its inception and what was your role?
A. Ever since the Bridge Federation of India was formed in 1958, there has been steady and yet fast pace of progress. The founding president Ramnivas Ramnarain Ruia of Bombay and my predecessor P.C.Goenka have put in tireless efforts in promoting the objectives of the Federation by enrolling considerable number of associations. Now, there are 43 affiliated associations to the Federation and more than 17000 listed players. The men and women teams have done remarkably well in the international bridge competitions since the last two decades.
BR. It is said that the game of bridge is not attracting new talents in India and interest in Bridge is fading away. What is your comment in this respect?
A. I do not entirely agree with this view. No doubt the young generation is reluctant to take up indoor games like bridge, which also requires extensive learning, but the Federation is encouraging social clubs across the country to hold couching classes for youngsters. Besides, we are considering handsome prizes for the winners of tournament, so that they may find sufficient incentive for the game to get attracted to it. On the other hand the number of people of middle ages is increasing particularly those who belong to government departments and retired defense officers. That may also be an influencing factor for their young ones to follow in the elders' foot steps.
BR. But the people belonging to those categories may be playing the game just as a past- time, they may not be good enough for competitive bridge. What other measures are planned by the Federation to enlarge the membership of younger generation?
A. There is Association of Indian Universities, an independent body which is organizing bridge movement among students. They will form a broad base nursery for bridge.
That will give a big boost to bridge in the country and more talent will be available for competitive bridge. Professor K.B.Powar, a competent person is heading that association and we can expect good results from him.
BR. Which provinces of the country are more active in the field of bridge?
A. There is a general feeling that Mumbai and West Bengal are taking the lead in the game. It is partly correct that these provinces pay more attention to the game and have produced outstanding players also. But Andhra Pradesh as a whole is fast coming up and more bridge tournaments are currently played there. It is a good sign for the future of the game. Other than that there is a normal bridge activity in the rest of the provinces through out the country.
BR. How many more bridge tournaments are being planned by the federation to be held during this year?
A. Currently there is Inter-Club Invitational Bridge Tournament in progress in Kolkata under the aegis of the Federation, in which many club teams are participating at the invitation of clubs in that city. Besides the annual pairs and team events will be held during the year. One important SAARC Bridge Tournament will be held in August, for which Farooq Subhan. of Bangladesh is holding consultations to finalize the dates and venue by consensus of other member countries of the SAARC. I must tell you that the Pakistan Bridge Federation, under the presidentship Khursheed Hadi has successfully and commendably held SAARC Bridge Tournament in Karachi in 2000.
BR. Has the Federation any plans to hold India-Pakistan bridge fixture this year?
A. The Bridge Federation of India would welcome any move to hold a bridge contest between India and Pakistan more particularly when the process of normalization of relations has began this year. It will be of immense advantage to both the countries to learn from each other's experience. We shall be too glad to any initiative either from our federation or the Pakistan Bridge Federation.