president's Opening Speech

Mr Minister

Ladies and gentlemen – dear friends

We have come together here, in this truly vibrant city, to enjoy the challenge of the World Bridge Championships. I am sure you are all, as I am, excited and pleased to be in Shanghai.

The Chinese Contract Bridge Association has a history of staging excellent tournaments. I am sure some of you will remember the exceptional Bermuda Bowl and Venice Cup in 1995 in Beijing; last year the CCBA hosted the World University Championship in Tianjin and the very successful Juno Cup held in Wu Xi, and I am quite sure the 2007 World Championships will be no exception.

I am only too delighted to be able to thank, on your behalf, our close friends and colleagues in the Chinese Contract Bridge Association who have worked long and hard in the run-up to these championships to ensure their success.

I would also like to express my warm thanks to the chairman of SMEG, Mr Xue Pei Jian, to the Shanghai Bridge Association and, of course, to our friends the Generali Group for their generous sponsorship and help. China is becoming a true force in our family of bridge – not only are they the host to these championships but next year will see us return to this great country, to Beijing, for the first World Mind Sport Games and the Inter-Nation Bridge Teams Championship… formerly the Teams Olympiad.

But let us return to the here and now, and to these World Championships in Shanghai. I know that our hosts will make you feel welcome, will do all that they can to make your stay here enjoyable. As you compete in what some consider to be the toughest of all the World Championships, I hope you will find some time, even if only a little, to explore this wonderful city with its history and its fascinating culture.

I would like to thank you all for coming here to play your best bridge in fair competition and I wish you the best of good fortune in the coming days.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, let me proceed with the awards that the World Bridge Federation is honoured to present to two great friends of bridge.