08 Mar 2015

Botswana Bridge Federation (BBF) over the weekend (March 7-8) hosted trials to guide selection of a team that is to represent the country in this year’s African Bridge Federation (ABF) zonal championship. The zonal championships are organised regularly by the World Bridge Federation (WBF) zones.

Each zone organises at least one each alternating year as a qualifying event for the World Bridge Team championships.

Speaking on the sidelines of the tournament, which attracted a considerable number of young and experienced players, BBF spokesperson, Mbakiso Malilo said they were working round the clock to assemble a team of best 10 pairs who would be called to camp beginning next month for the closely contested event which is penciled for the Egypt in May.

Malilo said they would trim the number to six pairs for the final squad that would travel to the zonal championship. Botswana has been quite impressive in the championships as they emerged on position four at the 7^th African Bridge Federation hosted in Reunion Island.

Zonal powerhouses South Africa and Egypt booked a slot at the World team finals while the locals and the hosts fell out.

Botswana had sent some of the best brains to the ABF games in the mould of Modisaotsile Dikgang, Batsho Manyanda, Omphemetse Moedi and Letsogile Mafa amongst others.

Moedi is currently out of contention for selection due to school commitments.

On Saturday, March 7 in a tournament that took the entire day, the pair of Alison Davies and Dwithie Kirby accumulated an impressive number of points coming on 62.39 per cent, Amantle Ramoseki and Mbakisi Malilo got 60.42 per cent, Meshack Kgosidialwa and Glod Maele were awarded 59.49 per cent while Keagile Chamo and Letsogile Mafa closed the top bracket with 58.58 per cent.

Mafa, who was part of the Reunion Island team said they were hoping for much improved results from this year’s championships. He said some of the challenges they faced in the last edition was lack of resources such as the dealing machine and lack of game time against stronger opponents.

Last week, the Federation sent some players to South Africa for the Secunda bridge test.  Davies who collected the highest number of points said it was a highly competitive tournament and was impressed by the level of competitiveness amongst young and upcoming players.

The 52-year-old Davies is likely to make her debut in national colours. ENDS