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Avinash Gokhale
Meet the international Bridge player
Avinash Gokhale is an active international
Bridge player. He has won a Bronze at the
World Bridge Olympiad at Venice in 1988
and a Gold in the Asian Bridge Tournament
in 1993.
Poonabest.com interviewed
Avinash at the PYC Hindu Gymkhana, where
he comes quite often to play.
When did you start playing Bridge?
Well, I started about 33 years ago,
when I was about 20 years old and just completed
my studies.
 What
made you take up playing Bridge?
(Ponders a little) Frankly it is
the intellectual challenges inherent in the
game, is what basically made me take it seriously.
It is as serious and cerebral as, say Chess.
People have this misunderstanding that because
Bridge is a game of cards, it is gambling.
But there is no element of gambling involved
in Bridge. I would like to emphasize again
that it is as intellectual as Chess is.
What is the structure of Bridge tournaments
in our country?
There are two annual National events
at the main centres, and State, District
and City Level Tournaments. The tournaments
do get a bit of media coverage, but it is
no big show compared to the other games.
We also do not have big sponsors. Industrial
heads that play or enjoy the game, sponsor
their team and may be a part of the tournament.
Sadly, there are no sponsors from Pune.
What are your achievements at the International,
National and State level?
Phew! At the international level
I have shared a Bronze at the World Bridge
Olympiad at Venice in 1988. In the Asian
Bridge Tournaments: a Gold at Mauritius
in 1993, a Silver at Mauritius in 1993 and
a Bronze at Cairo in 1989.
I have won the Nationals 21 times so far.
The irony of the thing is that for my first
and last title I had a partner from Pune
and all the other partners I played against
were from Calcutta, Mumbai and Delhi. The
sad part of these 21 titles is that they
are more than the titles put together won
by the rest of the Men and Ladies players
from Pune.
At the State level I have about 10 titles,
and an approximate of 100 titles at the
local level. I think that is it.
I heard that you edit and publish a
Bridge Digest. Can you tell us more?
I was editing and publishing a magazine
called 'Bridge Digest' from here in Pune,
from 1977 to 1983. It was the only Indian
Bridge magazine, which had recognition all
over the world. We had renowned world writers
who contributed without any payment. It
came to an end because of lack of advertisement
support and revenue.
Besides, I did a bridge column for the
Illustrated Weekly of India from
1978 to 1981, and I still write for some
magazines. At present I am writing a book
on my own bridge methods, which is followed
by many players all over the world. The
book should be published early next year,
and the title is 'Transfer Precision'.
Your achievements as a coach?
I started bridge coaching last year
and have about 80 players in Pune whom I
coach. I will be the official Coach for
Pune as part of a Statewide 'Catch em young'
programme due to commence in May 2001.
I am the only Indian to be elected as
Vice President of the International Bridge
Press Association. I have also been the
President of the Maharashtra Bridge Association
and Pune Bridge Association. For last three
years I was the member of the panel of judges
for 'World Wide Brilliancy Award' also known
in bridge circles as the BOLS Award.
All through the interview, Avinash Gokhale
was stressing that bridge teaches you inter-personal
relations, develops the mind and thinking
in an analytical manner, etc. All these
attributes are very useful in life. This
should encourage youngsters to play and
take up the game of Bridge.
- Sudheer Waje
Photos - Harikrishna
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