Six countries, including UAE, Palestine and Jordan, participate in bridge championship in Pakistan

Players from India and Palestine gesture during qualifiers of the Bridge Federation of Asia and Middle East (BFAME) Championship in Lahore. (Photo courtesy: Twitter/PakBridgeFed)
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  • Players from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain were invited to participate but could not come to Pakistan for different reasons
  • Indian and Bangladeshi teams are also present at the 22nd Bridge Federation of Asia and Middle East Championship

ISLAMABAD: Players from six countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Palestine, arrived in Pakistan to participate in the 22nd Bridge Federation of Asia and Middle East (BFAME) Championship, which kicked off at a local hotel in the eastern city of Lahore this week, local media reported on Saturday.

Contract bridge, or simply bridge, is a trick-taking card game using a standard 52-card deck. According to the World Bridge Federation (WBF), the game has been recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

The federation conducts bridge championships every four years, and the events are held in different member countries. This year, it is taking place in Pakistan from May 5 to May 13.

“Besides hosts Pakistan, teams from India, Jordan, Bangladesh, Palestine, and the United Arab Emirates are participating in the championship,” Dawn newspaper reported.

It added Syria, Sri Lanka and Bahrain could not feature in the championship due to different reasons, while the team from Saudi Arabia decided to participate but could not reach Pakistan.

This is the third time Pakistan is hosting the BFAME championship. Previously, the country held tournaments in 1985 and 2007.