Bridge, one of the most fascinating card games in the world, qualified to all intents and purposes as a sport by the International Olympic Committee, even though it does not participate in the Olympic Games, has had its world epicentre in Morocco since 19 August.
The 46th edition of the World Team Bridge Championships kicked off last Saturday at the Marrakech Congress Palace. For the first time, an African and/or Arab country is hosting this world sporting event, which brings together some 1,000 participants from the 46 qualified nations.
For the Royal Moroccan Bridge Federation, this is a great achievement and a source of pride for the whole country. The practice of Bridge in Morocco dates back to the 1950s, the Royal Federation was established in 1959 and since then it has been a success: in Morocco there are currently 13 Bridge clubs recognised by the Royal Federation throughout the country, and Bridge is also one of the extracurricular activities in Moroccan high schools, introduced thanks to an agreement between the Ministry of Education and the Royal Federation.
The organisation of the world championship is the culmination of all these efforts and an important opportunity to give a major boost to the practice of this sport throughout the country. According to the President of the Royal Moroccan Bridge Federation, Mr. Abdellatif Belkouch, “All the necessary means have been made available to the organisation to demonstrate that the choice of Morocco to host this world event was not fortuitous; on the contrary, it is more than deserved and comes at the right time to accompany the national festivities of the Youth Festival, which this year commemorates the 60th birthday of our august sovereign, His Majesty King Mohammed VI”.
Morocco is one of the continental powers in the field of bridge, having won several African championships in various categories
Of the Spanish-speaking countries participating in the current world championship taking place in Marrakech until 2 September, we highlight the participation of teams from Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Panama.
Along with chess, bridge is one of the most played mind sports in the world, with more than 100 million players, amateurs and professionals, recognised for its educational quality by UNESCO and taught in schools and universities all over the world.
Source : Atalayar
