Bangladesh bridge team are going to participate in the Bermuda Bowl, popularly known as the World Cup Bridge, for the second consecutive time as the six-man team fly tomorrow for Wuhan, China where the tournament will take place this year.
The team, which qualified for the first time in the most prestigious tournament of the world last year for the first time in country’s history, has once again qualified this year and this time they have done even better as they beat India, the powerhouse of the game, in the qualifying round to become champion in the zonal qualifying round.
Since their first appearance in the big stage the team have become more experienced and their captain Monirul Islam, a government officer, believes they will do well to hoist the red-green flag with pride.
“We have been practicing hard. None of us has the luxury of being full-time player like our competitors as we are amateur players and busy with our professions. But we practiced together online and made a few intense practice sessions where we discussed our game. We are hopeful we will do well,” said Monir.
It will be the first appearance for Monir in this tournament but his other five teammates Shah Zia ul Hoque, Rashedul Ahsan, AHM Kamruzzaman, Asifur Rahman Chowdhury and Mashiur Rahman took part in last year’s competition as well.
Kamruzzaman, a Bangladesh Krishi Bank employee, thinks the team have the ability to stun the big names in the global arena.
“Last time, we beat the USA and did well with some big teams, despite it being our debut appearance. This time we are more confident,” said Kamruzzaman.
