Ten Years on, China is preparing again for Bridge

XUZHOU – The popular mind sport of Bridge started its path in FISU in 2002, with the first World University Championship being held in Bruges (BEL). Since then, the sport has had uninterrupted events in Istanbul (TUR), Tianjin City (CHN), Lodz (POL), Kaohsiung (TPE), Reims (FRA) and Opatija (CRO). In 2016, the city of Lodz (POL) hosted the sport for a second time and passed the hosting rights and FISU flag to Xuzhou (CHN). The event in 2018 will be the second time the sport is in China after Tianjin City hosted the 3^rd edition in 2006.

 The Wyndham East Hotel, location & competition venue

The tournament in Xuzhou will take place on 25-28 October 2018, considered arguably the most beautiful season in the city with the transition from Summer to Autumn. The stage will be set in Xuzhou at the Wyndham East Hotel, a high-level venue that will double up both as accommodation location and competition venue. The venue is set in the midst of a beautiful lake and spacious green surroundings, setting the perfect stage for the student-athletes from all around the world to visit Xuzhou and enjoy the 4-day Bridge competitions.

On 10-11 March, FISU delegates Paulo Ferreira (WUC Director), Geert Magerman (FISU Technical Delegate for Bridge) and Mr Dong Xiaohua (FUSC Deputy Director) were welcomed by delegates from the 2018 WUC Bridge OC for an on-site inspection visit. The OC representatives were Wang Chao (Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of Xuzhou University of Technology), Zhang Xinke (President of Xuzhou University of Technology), Shen Chao (Chairman of the Bridge Association of FUSC, Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party Committee and Vice-president of Xuzhou University of Technology) and Liu Yang (Secretary General of the Bridge Association of FUSC, Vice-President of Xuzhou University of Technology).

 Delegates in meeting session

The OC, FISU and FUSC delegates met to discuss the on-going preparations of the 2018 FISU World University Bridge Championship. After site visits to the proposed accommodation and competition venue, various meetings were held at the main campus of XUT addressing the main functional areas of the event, namely OC setup, relations with authorities, communication, finance, promotion and invitations, accreditation, etc.

The OC also showed the visiting delegates their plans for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, as well as potential cultural activities within the city. With a history dating back over 3,000 years, there are numerous historic and educational options available. The visit concluded with a visit to the Museum of Xuzhou, a comprehensive museum responsible for the excavation, protection, exhibition, collection and research of the historical heritage in the city.

(WUC Department)