Jan Kamras, the President of the World Bridge Federation is in Broadbeach for Australia's largest bridge competition the Gold Coast Congress and one of the bridge world's most prestigious tournaments.
The WBF President is visiting Australia to promote the announcement of a World Bridge Tour that will feature leading world players similar to Tennis and other top sports.
Played at the Broadbeach Convention Centre with over 2000 players for 9 days it features not only Australia's best players but some international bridge Superstars.
Players have travelled from Europe, Finland, England, the USA, Malaysia, Argentina, Austria, Canada, Croatia, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, Sweden, UK, Uruguay, US plus 190 players from New Zealand.
The WBF President opened the Gold Coast Congress which is the first event in the new World Bridge Tour. The WBF is recognised by the International Olympic Committee.
The President of the Australian Bridge Federation, Allison Stralow, said "We welcome all players from near and far whether this is their first time or they have been coming for years. Bridge has a real sense of community and enjoyment as well as competition and when travelling you are part of the bridge family all around Australia and the world.
International players included Finn Kolesnik aged 18, who playing with Australian Ishmael Delmonte won one of America's top events the NABC Soloway Teams in Phoenix Arizona recently. Another of his team mates was Kevin Rosenberg who is in Broadbeach, who is Junior and Open World Champion, playing with Amber Lin
Jan Kamras from Sweden, the WBF President, is also playing in the Gold Coast Congress with an Australian Martin Doran and team mates champion Barbara Travis from Adelaide and Peter Reynolds from Canberra.
Other International players include 6 time World Champion Kate McCallum who is now living in Adelaide, three time world champion Daniele Von Arnim from Germany, and Austrian Jovi Smederevac.
The major Teams event is from Tuesday 21 to Thursday 23 February at the Gold Coast Convention Centre from 10am to 6pm.
About us:
The Australian Bridge Federation is the peak body for the administration of Bridge in Australia and is an affiliate of the World Bridge Federation. It is a non-profit organisation and its headquarters are located in Canberra. The ABF has a membership of approximately 33,000 and there are nearly 350 affiliated bridge clubs throughout Australia.
