World Bridge Federation President Franck Riehm visited the Hu Ronghua Bridge Club in Shanghai on 19 October, during his trip to China for the 2025 Buffett Cup. He was welcomed by Mr. Dai Liu, President of the Shanghai Bridge Association, Mr. Ding Jianhua, Deputy Secretary General, and Ms. Hu Ailian, General Manager of the club, together with the club’s management team.
During the visit, President Riehm viewed the club’s cultural gallery and Honor Wall, which highlight its long-standing achievements in promoting bridge education and youth development. He expressed appreciation for the club’s consistent commitment to introducing the game to young players, a goal fully aligned with the WBF’s mission to inspire new generations of bridge enthusiasts around the world.
In the main playing hall, the “Double Happiness” Pairs Tournament was underway. President Riehm observed the young competitors with great interest, noting the impressive concentration, logic, and partnership skills displayed by the participants.
He also joined an informal conversation with several of the young players, listening to their experiences and aspirations. President Riehm emphasized that bridge helps develop reasoning, cooperation, and mutual understanding, values that lie at the core of the game.
Later, the WBF President himself sat at the table to play a few boards with some of the young participants, marking a pleasant moment of friendship and shared enjoyment of the game, in the atmosphere of enthusiasm and learning that defines bridge at every level.
The visit concluded with the award presentation for the “Double Happiness” event. Together with local officials, President Riehm presented medals and certificates to the winners, congratulating them on their performance and encouraging them to continue their progress in the years ahead.
The delegation also visited the Shanghai Mind Sports Museum, where President Riehm and President Dai Liu exchanged views on youth bridge training, event organization, and community outreach.
