KENANGAN MANIS 21 Tahun Yang Lalu di Gold Coast
Oleh : Bert Toar Polii.
Mewakili Regu Bank BNI yg menjuarai Djarum Liga Bridge Indonesia, saya bersama Jeldy Tontey, Julius Anthonius George Giovani Watulingas, FR Waluyan dan Madja Bakara, kami mengikuti Summer Festival of Bridge. Turnamen ini merupakan salah satu turnamen terbesar di Asia Pacific selain Yeh Bros Cup, Gold Coast Congress, NEC Bridge Festival, Intercity Hongkong dan Pesta Sukan Singapura.
Keenam turnamen diatas sering dijadikan pilihan oleh Tim Nasional Indonesia untuk menjadi ajang try-out.
Kenangan manis terjadi, sebab kami bisa pulang dengan kepala tegak karena berhasil tampil sebagai juara dan mendapat pujian tulus dari lawannya.
Dua orang pakar bridge Australia secara gamblang menggambarkan kehebatan tim Indonesia waktu itu.
Nick Hughes menulis di Gold Coast Bulletin No. 1 tanggal 22 Februari 2004:
The Indonesians, Last month in Canberra, 1000+ Australians in 250 teams took on a team from Indonesia and lost, again.
Tim Bourke menulis di ABF Newsletter No. 106 Maret 2004
Finally let me say something about this Indonesian as opponents. My team played 20 boards against them in the preliminary rounds of the South West Pacific Teams (SWPT) and further 64 boards in a losing semi-final of the National Open Teams. We believe it should be recorded that all members of the Indonesian team displayed wonderful sportmanship. They all played a fair, fast and no-nonsense game. This made it a distinct pleasure to play against all members of the team, despite losing to them. They are wonderful ambassadors for their country and our game. Indeed, a good many experts could learn from them that nice guys can finish first.
Tapi, ada yang membuat iri kita penggemar bridge di Indonesia.
