Bridge, a card game known for boosting mental skills and focus, is becoming more popular in Maharashtra, especially among youngsters in Nagpur. To promote the game and train future champions, the Maharashtra Bridge Association (MBA), with support from The South Public School (SPS) in Omkar Nagar, has been instructing young minds in the intricacies of Bridge throughout the summer. Their goal is to create more talented players who can win medals for Maharashtra in the future.
Sudhir Iyer, an MBA trainer leading the school program, believes it’s the perfect time to make significant progress. Hemant Pande, joint secretary of the Bridge Federation of India (BFI) and secretary of MBA, stated, “We already have talented individuals in the city who can excel at the state level and, in a few years, at national tournaments.” Pande highlighted that SPS Director Deven Dasture and School Principal Mrunalini Dasture recognize how playing bridge can enhance student concentration, leading to positive academic outcomes.
The MBA and SPS will train local teachers to become mentors who will support the children year-round. According to Deven Dasture, a few schoolchildren have already mastered the game and are capable of participating in junior-level bridge tournaments. India has achieved success in bridge at the Asian Games, winning medals in both 2018 and 2023. Nagpur’s Rajeev Khandelwal and Hemani Khandelwal secured a bronze medal for India in 2018.