The winners and other officials at the Fourth Mindsports World Championship 2017. (Pic: Amna Pervaiz Rao / The Peninsula)
The Award ceremony of Fourth Mindsports World Championship 2017 in Bridge Category was held at DECC on Friday.
A seven-day tournament for three titles for a total prize money worth $5,000 was there in the category, like “Bridge Pair” with $10,00 prize money, “Bridge Team” having $3,500 and “Bridge Team Friendly” with $500.
Bridge Pair tournament was won by Abdul Shaheed and Mehmood Fatteh, Bridge Team tournament was won by Muhammed Pervaiz Akhtar, Abullah Chaaban, Jehad and Faryal, Bridge Team Friendly tournament was won by Abdullah Chaaban and Jehad.
Another “Bridge Mixed Pair” tournament was won by Muhammed Pervaiz Akhtar and Fryal while the “Best Scorer” award was given to AbdulHai and Azka.
Talking to The Peninsula Dave Brannan, Founder and CEO of Mindsports International, said: “The tournament has been fantastic; the Bridge has been very exciting as well and now it has come to an end. It was a brilliant turnout from local people and expats living in Doha. The venue was wonderful too and this is a brand new idea for locals in Qatar as it is the first edition in Qatar. As many as 20 countries represented and the halls were packed with expats throughout the tournament.”
“We should bring Mindsports to Qatar every year and it will soon turn out to be the arena of masters. Qatar gives very good support to sports and promoting indoor mind-sports will definitely encourage the European and Asian visitors to participate as Qatar is easy to travel,” he added.
Bridge is one of the very popular mind game and is recognised as a mind sport. Bridge is a fun and challenging game to be enjoyed by players of all ages. Playing bridge is one of the most enduring and popular pastimes in the world and for over 100 years, and it has fascinated people of all types and from all walks of life.
During the award ceremony, Muhammad Pervaiz Akhtar, Honorary President of Qatar Bridge Association and winner of Bridge Mix Paired and Bridge Team tournaments said: “To hold an international Mindsports Tournament in Qatar has proved that Qatar has enjoyed unprecedented global recognition in sport in recent years and continues to advance through targeted efforts aimed at creating a safer, healthier and more peaceful society.
“It is encouraging that Qatari nationals are also taking interest in Bridge. If recognised by Qatar Olympic Committee as a game, it will be very popular not only among expats but also among Qatari citizens,” he noted.
