Beiruti
November 2nd, 2006, 06:52 PM
National card tournament aims to build bridges
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
By Nour Samaha
Daily Star staff
BEIRUT: Events organizers, Ways Group, have taken it upon themselves to host an event to boost national unity in Lebanon. In an interview, Walid Yasmine, the general manager of Ways Group, told The Daily Star how he hoped that the upcoming bridge tournament he has organized will bring people together, Lebanese and international alike.
Yasmine has dedicated the last few months to arranging the National Bridge Tournament, an idea which originated from the damage caused to the country's bridges during the 34-day war with Israel.
"The idea came to me after the war of July, when the reconstruction of the bridges was what everyone was focused on," said Yasmine. "I thought, 'Why not organize a national bridge tournament, in collaboration with the Lebanese Federation of Bridge, which will be introducing a new activity to people, as well as initiate normal life again instead of remaining depressed.' So from this I hope that people will come together for Lebanon."
"All the profits, though mainly symbolic, will be going toward the reconstruction of the bridges up and down the country," he added.
Yasmine felt that although donations collected at the tournament may not make a huge difference to the restoration of actual bridges, the idea behind the event itself is significant, as it demonstrates that every little bit can go a long way.
"The entire symbol of the event is so important for us at Ways Group," he said. "The idea of participation, the theme revolving around 'bridge,' and especially, unifying everyone under the Lebanese banner, for us, demonstrates the importance of embracing Lebanon and moving forward."
The event will take place on November 19 at the BIEL center's Royal Pavilion. Playing will commence at 4 p.m. and be followed at 9 p.m. by a "lavish" dinner with an open bar, raffle and entertainment.
The entrance fee entering the tournament, including dinner and open bar, is $75, whereas those who wish only to attend the dinner and open bar will be charged $50.
Ways Group has previously organized national events such as the 'Man and Woman of The Year' award, which focuses on the achievements and personal inputs Lebanese have made for the growth of the country, 'Le Cuistot Du Liban' where professionals who enjoy cooking for a hobby show off their skills, and 'Lebanon; This Wonderful Country' - a photography competition depicting the splendor and beauty of Lebanon.
Yasmine said the point of the National Bridge Tournament was not so much competition, but rather participation.
"Each one who takes part should feel that by participating, they are doing something for a national cause," he said.
"We also hope that it will attract the attention of the international community. At the moment we are making contact with several internationally renowned bridge players and champions to invite them to the event, in order to give the event even larger coverage," he added.
Lebanon has its own share of renowned, home-grown bridge players, such as Pierre Chidiac, Adele Hanna and Faysal Hamdan, to name but a few. All three will be participating in the event, which is open to all those interested in aiding the cause.
Copyright (c) 2006 The Daily Star
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
By Nour Samaha
Daily Star staff
BEIRUT: Events organizers, Ways Group, have taken it upon themselves to host an event to boost national unity in Lebanon. In an interview, Walid Yasmine, the general manager of Ways Group, told The Daily Star how he hoped that the upcoming bridge tournament he has organized will bring people together, Lebanese and international alike.
Yasmine has dedicated the last few months to arranging the National Bridge Tournament, an idea which originated from the damage caused to the country's bridges during the 34-day war with Israel.
"The idea came to me after the war of July, when the reconstruction of the bridges was what everyone was focused on," said Yasmine. "I thought, 'Why not organize a national bridge tournament, in collaboration with the Lebanese Federation of Bridge, which will be introducing a new activity to people, as well as initiate normal life again instead of remaining depressed.' So from this I hope that people will come together for Lebanon."
"All the profits, though mainly symbolic, will be going toward the reconstruction of the bridges up and down the country," he added.
Yasmine felt that although donations collected at the tournament may not make a huge difference to the restoration of actual bridges, the idea behind the event itself is significant, as it demonstrates that every little bit can go a long way.
"The entire symbol of the event is so important for us at Ways Group," he said. "The idea of participation, the theme revolving around 'bridge,' and especially, unifying everyone under the Lebanese banner, for us, demonstrates the importance of embracing Lebanon and moving forward."
The event will take place on November 19 at the BIEL center's Royal Pavilion. Playing will commence at 4 p.m. and be followed at 9 p.m. by a "lavish" dinner with an open bar, raffle and entertainment.
The entrance fee entering the tournament, including dinner and open bar, is $75, whereas those who wish only to attend the dinner and open bar will be charged $50.
Ways Group has previously organized national events such as the 'Man and Woman of The Year' award, which focuses on the achievements and personal inputs Lebanese have made for the growth of the country, 'Le Cuistot Du Liban' where professionals who enjoy cooking for a hobby show off their skills, and 'Lebanon; This Wonderful Country' - a photography competition depicting the splendor and beauty of Lebanon.
Yasmine said the point of the National Bridge Tournament was not so much competition, but rather participation.
"Each one who takes part should feel that by participating, they are doing something for a national cause," he said.
"We also hope that it will attract the attention of the international community. At the moment we are making contact with several internationally renowned bridge players and champions to invite them to the event, in order to give the event even larger coverage," he added.
Lebanon has its own share of renowned, home-grown bridge players, such as Pierre Chidiac, Adele Hanna and Faysal Hamdan, to name but a few. All three will be participating in the event, which is open to all those interested in aiding the cause.
Copyright (c) 2006 The Daily Star