The Belgaum District Contract Bridge Association is set to host an inter-state bridge championship in Belagavi this weekend, with matches scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
Around 40 teams from Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra are expected to compete, with over 20 prizes up for grabs. The total prize pool stands at ₹1 lakh, association president Dilip Bhagwat announced at a press conference in Belagavi on Wednesday.
“Bridge is a game of skill, not chance. It enhances decision-making and cost-benefit analysis abilities. It has been played for generations and is recognized in both the Olympics and Asian Games. Indian players have even secured a silver in the Olympics and a gold in the Asian Games,” said association member M.L. Hegde.
He added that bridge is often wrongly associated with gambling and card games, despite its intellectual depth. Association member R.L. Barve emphasized that a significant number of women play bridge and that efforts are being made to promote the game among the youth by offering training and guidance.
The championship is open to all, with men, women, and children competing in a test of strategic skill, he added.
