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"Solidarity & Global Changes"
"It's a long journey, but we are getting there"

by Jose Damiani

On June 20th 1999, we received the news; the international Olympic Committee had officially recognized the World Bridge Federation (WBF) as an International Federation. In doing so, bridge has moved out of the back room and into the competitive arena, at last, it has become an officially recognized sport. For us, this means that we need to change our Constitution and By-laws in order to embrace the Olympic charter, adhere to the Court of Arbitration for Sports, test for doping (already the case in Bermuda) and reorganize our structure and our finances.

For we are driven by a new goal: to participate in the Winter Olympics. We must all work together to reach this objective, since this new status is the only sure way for all our members (the NCBOs) to belong to their National Committee, although we are pleased to hear that this has already occurred in some cases since the WBF received the official recognition on June 20th. It is not just a question of money, even though this perennial problem plays an essential role in developing the game of bridge as we see it.

"Faith helps those who help themselves" is the motto we believe in and we consider it reasonable to ask bridge players from all over the world to donate 1 dollar US to help pay for bridge teaching programs in schools, junior bridge camps, training seminars on bridge (for teachers, directors, club managers, journalists) and bridge-related Internet applications and development. Also, your donation is needed to help promote bridge in developing countries where we would like to see the game evolving from being a pastime for the elite to an activity for everyone in all walks of life. This calls not only for solidarity but also efficiency on a global level since this is the condition sine qua non if we are to fulfil our objective. Bridge players worldwide can be proud of the enhance image of their favourite sport and, by extension, of their own personal image. And it is clear that the sum of one dollar is nothing for most donors compared with the resulting one-hundred fold increase in the attractiveness, reputation and quality of bridge on a worldwide scale.

In return, the National Federations will benefit from considerable financial support when they receive completely funded programs and when they can benefit from the grants allocated by the NOC or their Ministry for Sports. And, of course, bridge's new image opens the door to private sponsorship. Nonetheless, I will make no secret that I am worried about being left alone to fight a battle which, in reality, concerns all bridge players. The obstacles are many: incredulity (what, bridge a sport! - as if the brain were not the motor behind the muscles); egotism (why not keep bridge the reserve of the enlightened few); jealously (other very popular sports don't have our hopes) and cynical press coverage attempting to belittle our sport without attempting to comprehend that bridge is also a social phenomenon and the representation of extraordinary mental gymnastics performed by players independently of sex, religion or age.

Those who were lucky enough to be at Bermuda can be left in no doubt as to bridge's triumphant entry into the 3rd millennium thanks to the exemplary co-operation between the WBF and the local federation and Orbis Investment Management Ltd, our very generous sponsor as well as the Bermuda Ministry of Tourism. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my friends in Bermuda for their invaluable support in making the 50th Anniversary such a great success. I have no doubt that every bridge player all over the world feels involved in our struggle and would like to help us meet this new challenge.

Bridge for All, Bridge for Peace, Bridge for the Winter Olympics.

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