Kochi: Office-bearers announced at a press conference that the 75th edition of the Lotus Bridge Tournament, one of the longest continuously held tournaments in the country, will commence in Kochi on April 17. Around 25 teams, including leading teams from West Bengal, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, will compete in this edition.
The tournament is being jointly organised by the Lotus Club and Muthoot Finance under the aegis of the Ernakulam Bridge Association. The matches will be held from April 17 to 19 at the Lotus Club on Warriam Road, Kochi.
Federal Bank, SVPL Pulickanam Premier and SVPL Pulickanam Gold Mountain are the sponsors of the tournament. The trophies for the winners are being instituted by the families of noted bridge players Chakiat Sankaramenon and V.B.M. Bava.
Competitions will be held in various categories, including Team of Four Duplicate, Progressive Duplicate, Pairs IMP and MP. Attractive prizes will be awarded to winners in all categories. The total prize money for the tournament is Rs.2.5 lakhs.
Office-bearers said that eminent players such as C.M. Antony, Prof. Madhukar Rao, Sami Hallegua, Gammi Salem and Afshar Majeed have brought several laurels to the Lotus Club at national and international levels. Lotus Club and EDBA President Joseph Kurien Pooppally, Organising Committee Chairman Afshar Majeed, and members Prof. Robins Jacob and Vijayan Karumattil attended the press conference.