CHANDIGARH: Former Punjab Chief Secretary and Founder Chairman of the Punjab Bridge Association K.R. Lakhanpal divulged that more than 200 players from 45 teams are in the fray which included 2018 Jakarta Asian Games gold medalist Shibnath Dey Sarkar and International players namely Subhash Gupta (he represented both India and Canada in international tournaments), Rajeev Khandelwal, Himani Khandelwal, Sumit Mukherjee, Maneesh Bahuguna, Asha Sharma, Nikita Kanwal.
Disclosing further, Mr. Lakhanpal, said that this is the 12th National level event being organized here at Chandigarh and we are encouraged by the increased participation of the top bridge talent from across the country. Players from Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, Delhi, UP, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh UT and Punjab will be vying for top honors in this event.
The total prize money is Rs. 7 lakhs under various categories. This year the organizers have created a special category of prizes for women and young players to encourage their participation. The technical aspects of the tournament are being supervised by the renowned Bridge Technical Expert of India Mr. TC Pant.
The Chairman snf Managing Director Steel Strips Group R.K. Garg said that they have been partnering the Punjab Bridge Association for the last two decades for the promotion of bridge in this region and across the country.
Asian Games gold medalist Shibnath Dey Sarkar termed such championships as the perfect platform for budding players in this innovative sport which involves utilizing the analytical faculties of the mind to the optimum extent.
Viswajeet Khanna proposed the vote of thanks and welcomed the players as well as dignitaries.