WBF Chief Tournament Director Maurizio to train Uganda Bridge players
The Italian was invited to Africa by the president of the Africa Bridge Federation (ABF), Bernard Pascal, to assess new members of the World Bridge Federation, including Uganda.
Samina Esmail (3rd right) poses with the UBF executive: Hitesh Shah, (left) Mohamed Zuli, UBF president Linus Wamanya, vice treasurer Arnold Kizito and secreatry Ronald Egulwa (right) at their offices, March 19, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Uganda’s bridge players and technical directors are set to benefit from the expertise of World Bridge Federation (WBF) Chief Tournament Director and Operations Director Maurizio Di Sacco, who is in the country to review the status and operations of the Uganda Bridge Federation (UBF).
The Italian was invited to Africa by the president of the Africa Bridge Federation (ABF), Bernard Pascal, to assess new members of the World Bridge Federation, including Uganda.
He arrived on Wednesday, met with the UBF executive at their offices in Bbunga on Thursday, and later trained players at Kyambogo University.
Following the meeting and a presentation by UBF Honorary Secretary Ronald Egulwa, Maurizio, who traveled with ABF Secretary Samina Esmail, said he was impressed with the sport’s progress in the country, noting that the federation was doing extremely well.
“Since they are newborns, I am really impressed by the quality of the things they have already done by themselves,” he said. “Well, they certainly need some guidance, but they have already done a lot of things, so I’m impressed.”
He added: “I need to emphasise that bridge is a sport. It is recognised as such by the International Olympic Committee. And this is the message they should pass on to any local authorities they are in touch with. It is an important message because bridge, despite being played with cards, is not a gambling game. It is a mind sport and belongs to an association that is called the International Mind Sport Games Association, which is formed by bridge, chess, golf, and draughts.”
Maurizio advised UBF to benchmark itself against the most successful federations around the world and learn from how they have marketed the sport.
“And this is something I am here for as well. I am trying to pass on information about how other federations develop bridge in some other part of the world,” he said. He noted that he would also teach them bridge laws, how to organise competitions, and how to improve their play.
“So, some basic information about bridge directing, bridge competition organisation, and some about bridge coaching and how to play the game.”
He encouraged the federation to involve more women in the sport, noting that mixed competitions are now the most popular format and that bridge is the most social of all mind sports. He said the international federation would provide some equipment, though he urged UBF to continue innovating and spreading the game using local materials, as they have done so far.
The meeting was also attended by UBF President Linus Wamanya, Vice President Mohamed Zuli, Executive Member Hitesh Shah, and Treasurer Arnold Kizito.
On Friday, Maurizio will continue his programme with a technical director’s course at UBF offices in the morning, followed by a players’ training session at Makerere University at 5pm. The same sessions will be repeated on Saturday, before an online training session via the RealBridge platform at 2pm.
On Sunday, he will head to Ndejje University to train students, then hold another session with students at Cavendish University on Monday. He will conclude with more sessions at Kampala Bridge Club at Kabira Country Club in the morning, and at the IUIU Female Campus at 5pm on Tuesday.