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Press Release |
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| 1 February 2001 |
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e-bridge and WBF sign sponsorship agreement. 26 January 2001, Paris. e-bridge and the World Bridge Federation (WBF) today signed a sponsorship agreement, with e-bridge undertaking to sponsor worldwide Junior bridge activities in the year 2001. WBF is organizing and conducting, directly or indirectly, bridge tournaments and bridge events dedicated to junior players (“juniors” meaning bridge players between the ages of 20 and 26 in 2001), and youth players (“youth” meaning bridge players under the age of 20 in 2001). Included in the junior events planned for 2001 are the World Junior Teams Championship to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 6-15, and the European University Teams Championship, to be held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, August 12-19. Speaking for e-bridge, Pinhas Romik, Founder, Chairman and CEO, stated: “We are very happy to sponsor junior activities. Today, with more appealing leisure activities accessible to young people than ever before, bridge can provide the sort of environment and intellectual stimulation that attracts and retains the interest of the brightest young minds. A coordinated joint effort by bridge organizations at all levels can encourage the participation of juniors in challenging bridge events and provide them with the means to lower the entry barrier to competitive international bridge.” “We hope that all these young bridge players will enjoy themselves thoroughly, retain fond memories of the competitions, and become tournament players for many years to come. We are honored and very pleased that WBF has given us the opportunity to lend our support to these intriguing new events and to offer sponsorship to conduct these events in the best way possible. e-bridge’s sponsorship funds will be used by the WBF to sponsor various world junior events and those of ACBL, EBL, the other WBF zones, and perhaps to develop junior bridge in conjunction with certain national federations. Although most bridge federations are anxious to develop junior programs most of them require financial support and human resources to make progress. It is one of e-bridge’s goals to provide assistance for worthwhile junior activities. ACBL plans to use a portion of e-bridge’s sponsorship funds to allow two US junior teams selected to represent the US at the World Junior Teams Championship in Brazil, to participate in the International Team Trials (to be held in Memphis, June 3-12) for the 2001 Bermuda Bowl. The opportunity to compete against the best players in an important event like the Trials will surely help these young players to develop their skills more rapidly and to gain invaluable experience.” WBF President Jose Damiani said: “It is very important for bridge organizations to promote bridge among young people, who represent the next generation of bridge players. The WBF has for many years endorsed and sponsored a broad program for juniors, including education, social contact, training (camps) and tournaments. With bridge being recognized by the International Olympic Committee, we need to provide more playing opportunities for young players. This additional activity demands more resources, and therefore we are delighted to accept the sponsorship of new events by e-bridge. WBF is constantly seeking to promote bridge among young people. A number of European countries have for many years offered an extensive bridge programs at schools, including lessons, social games, and competitions. We need to do more to promote bridge in colleges, with the ACBL taking an initiative in May this year to run a North American College Championship on the Internet, with a live final. Internet Bridge is well-suited for young people, and e-bridge is leading the effort to provide comprehensive bridge services over the Internet.” e-bridge Inc. is a private company created to provide high-quality social and tournament bridge and complete coverage of all aspects of the game over the Internet. e-bridge provides full Internet coverage of major bridge events. WBF
is a non-profit organization that has for more than 40 years acted as
the governing body for zonal bridge organizations and national contract
bridge federations all over the world. For more information
call or write:
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