KOCHI: The card game bridge will soon break 'the game of elites' tag with its debut in the Asian Games 2018 at Jakarta in Indonesia. With India winning gold medal in the 'men's paris' category of the game, it is expected that the game will soon attract many young players.Lotus Club will be conducting Kerala Onam Bridge Festival 2018 on September 22 and 23. The fest will be conducted with the collaboration of Kerala Bridge Association (KBA). Around hundred players from places like Kolkata, Mumbai, Karnataka and Chennai will attend the fest along with bridge players from Kerala.Bridge, which is often mistaken for the other card games commonly associated with gambling, is different from them. "Bridge is purely a mind game with absolutely no chance of luck unlike the other card games. That is why it was even included in the Asian games," said a bridge player.The game which was foreign to Kerala has a long-standing connection with the Lotus Club in Kochi, dating back to genesis of the club and the racial divide that existed during the time of the British in India. "The club was formed by Robert Bristow and his wife Lady Gertrude in 1932. Lady Gertrude was denied membership in the Cochin Club which was exclusively for the British, citing her Anglo-Indian lineage. The Bristow's started the Lotus Club following that incident and bridge was their most favourite pastime," said Robins Jacob, president of KBA and member of the club. The members of the club have followed the legacy of the game ever since then, even conducting a yearly contest in January for a rolling trophy."There are around a hundred bridge players in Kerala since the game is played around clubs like these. There are a few youngsters who play bridge, most of the players are above fifties," said Robins. The game is often seen with an aversion by the people of Kerala as it is played using cards. "People don't realise that this is a mind game, which requires a lot of practice and have many similarities with the game of chess ," said Mehboob Ali, member of the club.Kerala Bridge Association believes the game should be taught to school students across the state. "Bridge is an intellectual game and if the students are made to practice from younger age, Kerala can top in international games," said Robin.Bridge players from the club have represented in many international tournaments.

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