Dutch start as favorites today

Guyana will be the defending champions when the Guyana Bridge League  hosts the 2009 Inter-Guiana Bridge Tournament starting today and continuing until  Easter Monday at the Beepat’s Residence, Montrose, East Coast Demerara.

According to a press release from the Bridge League, today’s  play  will be  the open pairs and speedball competitions and  tomorrow and Sunday  will be the  open teams and Inter-Guiana’s championship,  while on Easter Monday will be  the individual competition and presentation ceremony.

This tournament, the release said,  is one of Guyana’s oldest sporting events and has had a continuous annual run since 1963.  Guyana is the current champion and looks forward to facing competition from 30 arriving visitors from Suriname and  French Guiana,  who also have their sights set on taking the trophy back with them.

The French team led by Jean Phillipe-Humbert is perhaps the only team with a solid base of a bidding system. They follow the standard that is practised throughout the French-speaking world and promulgated by the French Bridge Federation.  Recently this advantage has not been enough to overcome the natural abilities of their opponents but this year they are looking to break into the win column.

And the Dutch team captained by Piem Reiziger are  the favourites this year as they are fielding a strong and experienced foursome.   Piet Sonneveld will partner Captain Reiziger while Waded Sonneveld hooks up with Raymond Stelk.  They are hoping to avenge last year’s defeat at the hands of the Guyanese.

Meanwhile, the local team led by Royston Beepat is the defending champs and perennial contenders in this event. However, word is out that they have not been practising much lately, preferring to rest on their laurels, but much like the situation last year in Suriname, their hopes remain high.

The tournament is being directed by John McGregor.  Persons interested in playing or viewing the matches may contact Roy Beepat at 691-0184, the release concluded.