Date:30/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/30/stories/2005043008952000.htm

Sport - Bridge

Winners felicitated

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: An elite section of the contract bridge fraternity in the state assembled on Thursday to felicitate the state men's team that won the T.P. Khosla Trophy in recent summer nationals held at Jaipur, and also the ladies pair that claimed the top spot in the National at Mumbai.

Everyone acknowledged the significance of the triumph achieved by the squad of Dr. P.D. Boaz (captain), N.R. Kirubakaramoorthy, C.R. Badrinath, K.R. Venkatraman, K. Krishna Kumar and R. Sreekrishnan.

Tributes were also paid to Ms. Sherien Ryan and Lakshmi Chari, the ladies pair winner.

Dr. J. Aggarwal, famous eye-surgeon and an outstanding bridge player, presented mementoes to the players. C.R. Badrinath could not attend the function because of indisposition. K.R. Venkatraman, who is representing India in the zonal competition at Dhaka, too could not attend the function. Venkatraman's daughter, Vinutha, received the prize on his behalf.

Veterans honoured

The Tamil Nadu Bridge Association, which hosted the function, also utilised the forum to honour veteran players in recognition of their contribution to the growth of bridge in the state.

Mr. M. Gopalakrishnan, former chairman, Indian Bank, and president, Tamil Nadu Bridge Association, honoured Dr. Aggarwal, G. Venkatakrishnan, G. Mohan Rao, G.K. Sankaranarayanan, K. Vaideeswaran, S. Nageswaran, G.N. Viswnathan, K. Subramaniam and Dr. P.S. Raghavan. Bridge columnist, Chandramouli was also felicitated on the occasion.

Speaking on the significance of Tamil Nadu's triumph, G. Mohan Rao wondered why youngsters were not coming forward in large numbers to the world of contract bridge. Mrs. Janaki Srinivasan, secretary, TNBA, while welcoming the gathering, noted how victories in the nationals had inspired the whole community here. She urged the media to pay more attention to bridge considering that the winter nationals is to be hosted here at the JJ Indoor Stadium between December 27 to January 5.