Hoping for good performance in Asian Games: Rita Choksi

Indian bridge player Rita Choksi, who is the eldest player in the Indian contingent for the 18 edition of the Asian Games, has said that she is hopeful of impressive performance in the event.

The 79-year-old, who is playing mixed pairs for the first time in the Asian Games, further stated that she has done well in many international tournaments and it would be interesting to participate in the quadrennial event.

"It will be very interesting. Most of the people going there, I know them. Some of them have been playing with me sometimes back. I think we will do very well. The players will do very well," Choksi said. "I have played mostly in teams all over the world. This is for the first time that I will be playing in mixed doubles in Asian games," she added.

Bridge, which is a trick-taking card game, is introduced in the Asian Games for the very first time after the recommendations were made to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) regarding the same. Indian bridge team will start their campaign at the games from August 28.

India will see participation from 572 athletes in 36 different sports categories in the Asian event.

The Asian Games, which began on Saturday, will continue till September 2 in the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang.