Azadi Bridge Tournament 2025

 

 Celebrating Independence Day with strategy and skill

Azadi Bridge Tournament 2025

Our correspondent

This August 14, as Pakistan celebrates its 78th Independence Day, a different kind of battle will unfold—not on a cricket pitch or football field, but across the green felt tables of Lahore Gymkhana. The Lahore Bridge Association, in collaboration with Lahore Gymkhana, is hosting a one-day Bridge Tournament, bringing together nearly 50 players from across Punjab to compete in a pairs-format event that celebrates both national pride and mental prowess.

Bridge, often called the “chess of card games,” is a sport of logic, memory, and partnership. It’s played in over 100 countries and governed by the World Bridge Federation (WBF), of which Pakistan is a proud member. Our country has a rich history in the game, with legends like Zia Mahmood—a name that resonates across global bridge circles—serving as proof of Pakistan’s potential in mind sports.

The tournament kicks off at 10 AM, and while the competition will be fierce, the atmosphere promises to be festive. It’s not just about winning—it’s about celebrating the strategic brilliance that bridge demands and the community that keeps it alive in Pakistan.

What’s especially exciting is the Lahore Bridge Association’s recent push to grow the game. Their new enrollment program for aspiring bridge players has seen an “amazing response,” according to Nauman Khalid Butt, one of the key organizers. “We’re seeing young minds eager to learn, and that’s the future of bridge in Pakistan,” he shared. 

Pakistan has won about 40 medals in various international bridge championships since 1981.

Events like this are more than just tournaments—they’re statements. They show that sports aren’t limited to physical feats. They can be cerebral, inclusive, and deeply cultural. As the players shuffle, bid, and play their hands, they’ll also be honoring the spirit of Independence Day in a uniquely thoughtful way.

So whether you’re a seasoned player or just curious about the game, keep an eye on this space. Bridge is making its move in Pakistan—and it’s a game worth watching.