HKCBA

2018 Asia Game - Ladies

2015-08-20

Dear Lady Members,

As you may know, in 2018 in Jakarta, Bridge is an official sport of Asia Game and naturally HKCBA wishes to send team to participate.

However, this is subjected to Government’s approval of the team we propose, as they will fund all the expenses and surely wishes to send teams that have a fighting chance. So there is a possibility that they may not endorse our recommendation or even send a team.

Nevertheless, HKCBA believes this is a golden opportunity to promote Bridge in Hong Kong and we should surely grab this chance. In the recent Council Meeting we had decided to set up a special committee to select the representatives for the Ladies Team 2018, and to achieve meaningful results in the next say 30 months and have a fighting chance in ASIA GAME, we need rigorous training and commitment from interested players or pairs.

Our Chairman Mr. Derek Zen has kindly undertaken to sponsor the whole training programme by:

i) Identify & recruit a suitable coach and start proper training;

ii) Pay all costs for competitions that the team(s) is going to participate in the next 30 months in China as well as South East Asia (subject to recommendation by the committee), including PABF tournaments in 2016 & 2017

iii) Solicit seasoned local players to assist as situation requires.

The idea is simple, we intend to recruit around 20 players into the training programme, provide them with training, with a view to reduce the number to 8-10 say 18-20 months’ later and perhaps decide on the 6 players 9 months before the game. The intention of sending teams to various tournaments is obviously for players to gain exposure as well as hopefully build up individual CV to convince government.

Any individual (but you can indicate the partner you prefer) who is interested can register, the acceptance into the programme will be interviewed and decided by the committee which is chaired by our Chairman and 4 other seasoned players.

What we do expect from those who shows interest are:

1) The real commitment as to training programme and tournaments.

2) Follow strictly the order of the coach, and adhere to his/her suggested approach to the game.

3) It is possible for pairing purposes as well as to be in touch with modern practices, the committee may restrict the systems and cardings, in terms of system, say only natural 2 over 1 and precision, or any other systems to be approved by the committee.

This will facilitate individual players as well as the committee in identifying a suitable partner at early stage.

4) The couch also has the final say on pairing based of result and individual style.

Our objective is simple, to identify a team that is able to really compete at Asia Game, of courses, the byproduct of which is in raising the standard of Bridge in Hong Kong (for ladies) and give everybody a fighting chance if they do wish to.

Beware that the undertaking from the player’s side is huge (to be briefed when register), if you are interested, please do consider the downside of this commitment, as we surely only want players who are serious in attempting a breakthrough in their Bridge career and we do not want waste time and money on passengers.

Personally as a Bridge player we suggest you grab this opportunity and make a serious try, but then it’s all up to you.

The deadline of registration is 30 September 2015.

Please contact Mr. Derek Zen by email (derek@waikee.com) for registration or any queries