Indonesia Holds The Bridge Asia Cup 19-25 October Championships

General Chairperson of the Joint Bridge All-Indonesian Executive Board (PB GABSSI) Miranda S. Goeltom (central) with the organizing committee for the 2022 Bridge Asia Cup Championship (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Indonesia through the Joint Bridge All-Indonesian Executive Board (PB GABSSI) is ready to hold the Asia level bridge championship "4th Bridge Championship Asia Cup 2022" on 19-25 October 2022 at The Sultan Hotel Jakarta.

At a press conference in Jakarta, Tuesday, General Chairperson of PB GABSI Miranda S. Goeltom revealed that the championship was the first international event to be held offline after the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

The Asian Championship which is held every four years is important not only for Indonesian athletes, but also for other national teams to prepare themselves to participate in the Asian Games.

"This is an event to prepare for the Asian Games, because generally it is done a few months before the Asian Games. It's just that this year it has been postponed, so we have also prepared the Asia Cup to withdraw," said Miranda, quoted by Antara.

"This Asia Cup victory is part of GABSI's plan for all administrators to prepare well for our athletes that we will send to the Asian Games."

A total of 11 countries have expressed their willingness to take part in championships that will compete in four team numbers and four numbers, namely men, women, mix and seniors.

The eleven countries are Australia, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.

Chairman of the Organizing Committee Major General TNI Retired Ivan R. Pelealu said that the committee would apply health protocol rules to both athletes and the committee.

Furthermore, the venue was chosen by considering the location in the city center and is close to the Gelora Bung Karno sports complex.

"Our readiness to stay more than a week is 90 percent. The mosque of the Cendrawasih bird, souvenirs, is ready. We can now make cards that used to be imported, all domestically," said Ivan.

Indonesia was designated by the Asia Pacific Bridge Federation (APBF) to host the championship in early 2022 based on its successful reputation in holding various bridge championships, from the ASEAN and Asia Pacific levels to the world championships in Bali in 2013.

Indonesia's appointment by the APBF is supported by many countries because Indonesia has succeeded for the first time entering the bridge branch at the 2011 SEA Games and 2018 Asian Games.

The 2022 Asia Cup Jakarta Championship is the fourth championship after it was held in China in 2010 and 2014 and in 2018 in India.