Bridge Federation nominates Asiad gold winning duo of Bardhan and Bhaduri

Asian Games gold medal winning pair of Shibnath Sarkar and Pranab Bardhan has been nominated by the Bridge Federation of India for the prestigious Arjuna Award.

Bardhan and Sarkar won the gold in the bridge event at the Jakarta Asian Games with the former gaining the distinction of being oldest Asiad champion from India.

"By mistake, our names could not be nominated last year and this was a long wait for us. Hope we get this award this time which will give the sport an all new filip in the country," 62-year-old Bardhan told PTI from his Jadavpur residence here.

The duo have been sent a form by the bridge body and were asked to submit it in a couple days to complete the formalities. The last date for sending nominations is June 3.

Bardhan and Bhaduri have been practising bridge for more than two decades now as they first would meet regularly before the online platform "made their life easier".

"My whole life is devoted to this sport. People would first scoff at us for playing card games but the 2018 gold medal change all that," veteran Bardhan said.

"We have about a dozen people now working in Railways and the Income Tax department through sports quota. I hope the Arjuna Award will give a fresh impetus to our sport."
"Earlier, people related bridge to that of gambling and a recreational activity but it's not. There's so much of mental game involved here."
"We have not yet got a clearance for an academy the application is pending since two years. I hope the government will approve."