Yes, it's a sport

by Gordon Robinson

First, a personal-interest disclosure. Since 2009, I've volunteered as a national youth bridge team coach.

"Bridge?" you ask, incredulously. "Wha' dat? Nuh old people sint'in'?"

Thirty years ago, I'd have scoffed at your impertinence.

Regrettably, that's now true. Before Nintendo and its successors, bridge was played in many homes. Chess was considered too high-brow but board games like Monopoly and Scrabble; card games like bridge and hearts were the glue of family togetherness. Gene Autry and I learned playing three-handed bridge with my grandmother. No equipment required; just a deck of cards and time. We graduated to playing in tournaments until I stopped in 1979.

Back then, bridge, a popular game, won Jamaica international acclaim. Bridge, like cricket, football or athletics, is governed by an international network. The Jamaica Bridge Association (JBA) is a member of the Central America and Caribbean Bridge Federation (CACBF) of which JBA President Rex James is currently a vice-president, and CACBF is a member of the World Bridge Federation (WBF) whose Bridge 'World Cup', held every four years, is called The Bermuda Bowl.

In-between Bermuda Bowls, Bridge Olympiads (no regional qualification required; any country can enter) are also held at four yearly intervals. Jamaica, who regularly contended at regional championships, hosted the 1987 Bermuda Bowl and automatically qualified. Autry, a member of that team which included bridge legends Cecil Chuck, Ronnie Tai Ten Quee and Dudley Holness, so impressed the world that he was nicknamed 'Young Zia' (Pakistani, Zia Mahmood, was the world's best).

Wooing youth

Recently, bridge has fallen from those dizzy heights as youngsters turned to video games or chess. Chess President Ian Wilkinson must be commended for the progress of that mindsport, especially among youth. His vibrant inter-schools chess competition is a superb model for all. My sons learned chess before bridge. Son number two, The Ampersand, captained his school team to two successive chess championships then gave it up. But mindsports like these are forever.

They're good friends with whom one can reconnect anytime.

In 2008, the JBA began a drive to return youth to bridge. The International Olympic Committee had recognised bridge as a mindsport and a World Mind Games and Sports Olympics (incorporating the Bridge Olympiad) was held in Beijing in October 2008 at the same venue as the Olympic Games. For the first time, a World National Youth Bridge Series was included. After a too-brief preparation, six Jamaican novices (aged 14-24), sponsored by the WBF, travelled to Beijing under the watchful supervision of den mums Valerie Marshall, Betty Williams and coach Hubert 'Brodsy' White to represent Jamaica. The young Jamaicans acquitted themselves well, defeating Sri Lanka and Malaysia and tying with Peru. Back home, they have progressed remarkably; regularly beating more celebrated veterans in weekly tournaments.

Jamaica needs bridge to scale 1987 peaks again. A nation struggling with indiscipline; whose children underperform in higher-learning skills, must resuscitate bridge among the youth as a moulding tool of disciplined minds.

Bridge hasn't achieved chess-like acceptance in schools because of its unjustified reputation as a 'gambling game'. But bridge and gambling don't mix naturally. If schoolchildren want to gamble (as happens at Champs; and in schoolyards at chess, marbles and computer games), they'll gamble at bridge.

Why not join us?

However, competitive bridge isn't for gamblers whose instincts are fatal to tournament success. Contrarily, the discipline bridge instils will deter all but the most obstinate from gambling. Bridge inculcates all of chess' disciplines but, as a partnership game, also teaches relationships. It's a perfect companion to PALS, as it fosters dispute-resolution skills and emphasises cooperation and compromise.

The JBA needs help developing youth bridge. Parents whose children could benefit academically and personally by learning bridge can contact JBA secretary Valerie Marshall (valeriemarshall1@hotmail.com) or bridge tutor and JBA board member, Richard Phillips (rphillips@flowja.com), either of whom will be happy to arrange lessons. From this farm system, youngsters can graduate to the national youth team.

Another World Mindsports Games is scheduled for August. This is an opportunity for young Jamaicans to compete on a world stage. The JBA's best submissions haven't convinced CHASE, other government agencies or private enterprise to help. Our new sports, education and youth ministers (why three?) should be looking for new ways to develop youth's academics and discipline. Bridge will do that and more.

Not everybody can run fast, kick footballs or hit sixes. Everybody can play bridge; develop mind muscles; learn discipline. Over to you, Natalie; Ronnie; Lisa. Same old, same old? Or something different?

Peace and love.

Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.