AGENDA

1. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

These were confirmed, proposed by Bharat Bhardwaj and seconded by Di Adrain.

2. MATTERS ARISING

Membership confirmed for Mauritius, Reunion, Madagascar, Egypt, South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Tunisia, Botswana, Djibouti and Morocco by renewal of membership fees. It was confirmed that the following countries had not paid for either last year or the year before and thus these memberships were terminated with immediate effect: Somalia, Nigeria, Senegal, Gabon, Ivory Coast and Ghana.

3. CONDITIONS OF CONTEST

It was unanimously agreed that in future as well as for the Championships 2007 that WBF conditions of contest will apply.

4. LADIES REPORT

Lily Khalil of Egypt reported that a large number of ladies actively support bridge events in Egypt, South Africa, Morocco and Tunisia. But more needs to be done in the role of communication with each other to activate ladies participating in other countries.

5. FINANCIAL

Mr. Pierre Chavannaz circulated copies of collections and bank account (euros and dollars) during 2006 and 2007. He requested that when members made payments, the cost thereof should be for the payee and not the recipient. Certain countries current members were in arrear and all those countries promised to pay immediately.

6. QUADRA PAIRS

It was unanimously resolved to cancel this programme with immediate effect and review this at a later date.

7. ZONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007

It was agreed by all the delegates that the venue and organization was of world class standards and compliments where necessary were passed to all those involved.

8. JUNIORS AND YOUTH PROGRAMMES

Panos Gerontopoulos, vice president of WBF, led a discussion concerning the above programmes. He confirmed that each NCBO had to stimulate their own programme for juniors and youth. Juniors are vital for the survival of the game and the WBF is not the organization to conceptionalise programmes for use by NCBOs. Each NCBO must stimulate their own programme. In Beijing 2008 as part of MIND GAMES OLYMPIAD each country of the WBF would be asked to send a team irrespective of the fact that there would be a vast difference in the standards provided by the countries of Europe and America and the rest of the world. It was up to each country to try and send a team to participate in Beijing 2008 where the authorities and WBF would aid the participants with financial assistance.

9. ANY OTHER MATTERS

a) Mr. Pierre Philogene asked that a resolution be approved to submit to the WBF whereby an NCBO had to participate in the Olympiad to confirm their entity to the Bermuda Bowl/Venice Cup especially when both took place in the same year, and the participating country could only afford one entry.

b) Mr. Julius Butkow, secretary of the ABF, asked that all matters of continental importance to be routed through him for eventual submission to the proper person in the ABF to deal with the subject.

c) The African Bridge Federation’s 2009 Championships will be run by Egypt, possibly at Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada.

d) Bharat Bhardwaj confirmed that the only NCBO Kenya in the ABF is Kenya Bridge Africa Limited. Political pressure should not be placed on any NCBO to deviate from whosoever is accepted by the ABF and thus ultimately the WBF.

e) All appeals according to Jean Claude Beneix terminated at NCBO level.

f) The masterpoint register as originally envisaged for the ABF was officially scrapped.

g) Each NCBO in the ABF were asked to submit CVs of their tournament directors to a panel headed by Jean Claude Beneix for recommendation to the WBF.

h) Bharat Bhardwaj was awarded the position of the ABF President Emeritus at the behest of Tushar Pujara, which was approved unanimously by all delegates and observers.

NOTICE OF MEETING

The meeting of ABF delegates will take place on 13th May 2005 after play finishes for the day presumably at 21.00 hours at the Riad Salam Hotel.

AGENDA

Confirmation of minutes of meeting held in Istanbul.

Matters arising.

Venue of Zone 8 Championships 2007.

Constitution of Zone 8.

Finance report.

Confirmation of new Zone membership.

Election of Office bearers.

Any other Business.

Julius Butkow - Joint Secretary

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE AFRICAN BRIDGE FEDERATION

HELD AT THE RIAD SALAM HOTEL ON FRIDAY 13th MAY 2005 AT 09H30

PRESENT :
As par attendance register.

APOLOGIES :
S. Soochak (Tanzania), Nic J. Money (Zambia), P. Philogene (Mauritius).

THE MEETING :
The President, Bharat Bhardwaj, thanked Chafika Tak-Tak of Morocco for her exceptional arrangements for the Championships. He then welcomed all the delagates to Morocco, especially the World Bridge President , José Damiani whom he then handed the floor to, to present his summary of world events and happenings.

WBF PRESIDENT

Jose Damiani stressed the importance os as many countries as possible to belong to the African Bridge Federation. He reminded the meeting that for various reasons the IOC does not see Bridge as part of either the Winter or Summer Olympics but that via the MIND SPORTS CONFEDERATION (Bridge, Chess, Poker, Go, Draughts, etc) there was a possibility of an acceptance like the PARAOLYMPICS under another aegis, possibly styled INTELOLYMPICS.

To bring bridge into the minds of continental population and education, he stressed the importance of youth, television and education of the game at school and university levels.

In the sphere of garnering recognition of Bridge worldwide as an international mind game he said that the fact that countries that did not participate in the Bridge Olympics would not be granted permission to play in the Bermuda Bowl/Venice Cup/Seniors was a condition set by IOC standards and as such WBF could not countermand that stricture.

However, he did there was more than one way to skin a cat and that every situation could be somehow dealt with in this regard, but not in the entry fee for WBF events. That was immutable, no division between rich and poor countries in Africa, Europe or elsewhere.

He agreed that at the next ABF event in Kenya in 2007 he would give his go-ahead for a seminar for Tournament Directors and Teachers to take place there either before or during the tourney.

He closed his presentation with the pithy statement "The future of intelligence of the world may be found in Bridge".

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

Confirmation of minutes of a meeting held in Istanbul (Turkey) during November 2004, was duly agreed to because all NCBOs had received copies of those minutes either in english or french shortly thereafter.

MATTER ARISING

YOUTH & UNIVERSITY TEAMS

The report in 2004 at the meeting in Istanbul was confirmed as the ABF policy for the time being.

ANNUAL FEES

A list of countries who had defaulted on their payements for previous years was confirmed by Pierre Chavannaz who whould endeavour to collect all outstanding amounts.

AGENDA VENUE FOR FUTURE YEARS

The meeting confirmed Kenya for 2007, Tunisia being candidate for 2009.

CONSTITUTION OF ZONE 8

This had to be reworked immediately to conform to WBF statues as wee as not to conflict with IOC ideals. It was resolved to posr the revised draft Constitution to all NBCOs and await views and changes. Two months after the final draft was posted a resolution accepting the revised Constitution would be conducted by conference call or internet.

FINANCE REPORT

This was presented by Pierre Chavannaz and shows the following balances - USD Dollars 2000-00, Euros 1126-84.

CONFIRMATION OF NEW MEMBERS

Zambia, Djibouti, Somalia. And the possibility of Nigeria.

ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS

At the outset Bharat Bhardwaj had indicated that he would not seek re-election. He thanked all the delegates and in particular all the office for the support he received from them during his tenure as President. He proposed in his stead Tushar Pujara who was immediately voted into that position. Bharat Bhardwaj stated that he would represent Zone 8 for a year or so until Tushar Pujara became knowledgeable in his new position. Bharat Bhardwaj then agreed to the proposal by Egypt of a vice-president, and Bennard Pascal was unanimously confirmed in that office.

The following appointments were unanimously confirmed by the meeting :

President Thushar Pujara (Kenya) proposed by Kenya, seconded by RSA

Vice-President Bernard Pascal (Egypt), proposed by Egypt, seconded by Kenya

Treasurer Pierre Chavannaz (France) proposed by Kenya, seconded by Reunion

Joint Secretaries Pierre Chavannaz (France) and Julius Butkow (RSA), proposed by Kenya,seconded by RSA.

Executive Member Chafika Tak Tak (Morocco), proposed by Kenya, seconded by Egypt.

 

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Di Adrain of South Africa informed the meeting that in the Women's tourney only 26 boards were played each day and that certainly was just not good enough. Tushar Pujara stated that certain protocols had been formulated by South Africa and sent to each NCBO for comment and when no objections were received it was perceived that these protocols would be dully followed.

Julius Butkow stated that these protocols were not followed as to the number of boards to be played NCBOs. Tushar Pujada said this would definitely change for 2007 and all countries would receive suggested protocols and invite comments.

Di Adrain insisted that the ABF conditions of contest which was agreed to and would become part of the revised protocols.

It was noted and confirmed that only persons domiciled and registered with their respective NCBO within the ABF umbrella coul play in any event organized by any NCBO registered with the WBF.

Lily of Egypt as the Women's representative of ABF read her comments to the meeting. It was noted that these views expressed were personal and the meeting further agreed with the comment of Bharat Bhardwaj that internal affairs of any NCBO should be adressed and resolved by the NCBO concerned.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING TERMINATED AT 12:30 WITH A VOTE TO THE CHAIR.

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON FRIDAY 29 OCTOBER 2004 AT
GRAND HOTEL ISTANBUL (TURKEY) AT 18H

1) PRESENT.

As per attendance register

2) APOLOGIES

Pierre Philogene,Pierre Chavannaz.

3)PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Presented by Bharat Bhardwaj (copy herewith see below) and accepted,confirmed and seconded.

4)PIERRE PHILOGENE

It was recorded that M Philogene was ill and the meeting wished him a speedy recovery.

5)MOROCCO ZONAL 2005

After lengthy discussions it was the consensus of the meeting that the African Bridge Championships and Zonal qualifications be set for a date after the "Cavendish" event in May 2005 in USA.The date for the African Zonal qualifications was set for 6 days fom 10th May (Tuesday) to 16th May 2005, thereafter a team event,then a pair event would follow for the African Bridge Championships for a period no longer than 5 days.

Rusty Court and Julius Butkow had prepared a set of ABF protocols for these events for comment but to date no comment had been received

For the African qualification period in Morocco between 10th -16th May 2005 recommendation was approved for the use of the tournament Directors only from Africa and to this end M Rusty Court of South Africa and one from Egypt were put forward to act as such.

It was also recommended by the meeting that in the WBF forum the clause barring countries from participating in the Bermuda/Venice unless they played in the previous "Olympiad" be outlawed as it was inequitable to emerging countries,specially from Africa most of whom were cash strapped and thus could only play in one event every second year organised by the WBF

The fee for participating in the qualifying Bermuda/Venice events would be the same as 2003,that is $1000 for one team or $1500 for two teams

6)YOUTH & UNIVERSITY TEAMS

Discussions ensued concerning this "renewal" strategy and the meeting was of the opinion that youth had to be coaxed to take up the game.Unless government support was introduced at "Primary" School stage there was very little chance of the programme succeeding.Programmes existed in South Africa ,Botswana and Egypt the latter two with government support and funding.

Until such time that a country challenged Egypt on a head to head basis,the Egyptian youth team would represent the Zone in "Youth" WBF events.

7)ANNUAL FEES

If no payment received by the treasurer in Paris (France) then that specific country was not a member of the ABF and could not participate in the Bermuda/Venice qualifications process.

Payment of $100 per NCB remains the annual fee.

8)SEMINAR

The WBF would be requested to host a TD seminar in Morocco in 2005,similar to that in Johannesburg in 2003.The President was asked to convey this request to Jose Damiani of the WBF.

9°MASTER POINTS FOR ABF

Mr Butkow informed the meeting that due to the structure of ABF events once every two years and the plethora of local players participating,an MP Register was totally unnecessary,a luxury item that the Federation could ill-afford.

The meeting adopted this and agreed to its discontinuance.

10)KENYA BRIDGE ASSOCIATION LTD / KENYA BRIDGE FEDERATION.

Volumes of correspondence had passed between Mrs Semina Ismail of KBF ,M Ashwin Shah and various members of the ABF in which the ongoing saga between the two bodies was reported,commented and stances taken.In a nutshell,the meeting considered this a "Domestic Dispute"that had to be settled the parties in Nairobi and in the light of Mr Bhardwaj report that the Kenya Sports Council was not a government body,the meeting unanimously resolved thar Kenya Bridge Africa Ltd would remain the official NBO or Kenya.

11)LADIES REPORT

Lily of Egypt reported that Egypt might possibly require assistance in the light of the ultimatum given to the Egyptian Ladies by the Egyptian Government that if they did not fare well in the 2004 "Bridge Olympiad" their grant would cease.She asked the President Bharat Bhardwaj if he could assist if so called upon by the Egyptian Ladies Team to do so.He confirmed he was willing.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING TERMINATED

Julius Butkow... Secretary

PRESIDENT REPORT TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

African Zone has made commendable progress since its formation.It started in 2000 with 7 Members and membership now stands at 21.

Most of our Members play duplicate bridge and team events at regular intervals.South Africa which is a large country have national events attracting large entries.Egypt the other powerhouse of our Zone has similar events and major ones when neighbouring countries in the region participate.

Julius Butkow the Don of Bridge in South Africa retired after being President of SABF for 34 years (although we in our part of the world are used to Presidents for life).We recognize his selfless service to bridge in South Africa and his continued role in African Bridge Federation.

Bridge was dormant in Zambia and Somalia.I am pleased to report that the Lusaka Bridge Club is now thriving.It has applied for membership and has requested to host a regional competition next year.Due to internal conflicts Somalia was totally destabilized.The Country is slowly returning to normality and a Bridge Club has been formed and they have expressed their desire to join WBF.

Zambia has proposed a Bridge Safari which will combine game viewing and playing bridge and will also include safaris in Kenya and South Africa.It is a unique proposal,we will explore the possibilities

Bridge has made great strides in Kenya but has suffered a set back due to a dispute now in court between two bodies claiming to represent Bridge in Kenya.Hopefully the conflicting parties will see merit in finding a mutually beneficial solution

This is a domestic issue and has arisen as a result of construction of a fully equiped Bridge Hall at great expense but remains closed because of the dispute.This dispute has given rise to a number of Court cases all pending hearing and the WBF would be well advised not to intervene.Also keeping in mind that in doing so it could get involved or made a party in the dispute in Court.In the meantime the WBF continues to recognize Kenya Bridge Africa Ltd as the sole Body running bridge in Kenya.This matter is likely to be discussed at the Executive Council meeting to be held in Istanbul in October 2004.

Our thanks go to Royal Federation of Morocco and its President Mrs C Tak Tak for offering to host the 2005 Zonal Championship which we hope to hold early next year.

B BHARDWAJ President Zone 8.