Laura Camponeschi – Hi Alfredo, I’d like to discuss with you the condition of Italian Bridge, starting with the recent silver medal, won in Buenos Aires at the 16th World Bridge Games.
Alfredo Versace – This silver medal was a great result, and at the same time a missed opportunity. Poland truly deserved to win, but in the final after two rounds we were up 70 points, so it could have gone the other way. Our team is young and has excellent growth prospects. After the bronze medal in Marrakech and Herning, this competition showed that we are always in contention, even though we haven’t grabbed the gold yet.
LC – In the semifinal you played against Agustin Madala. How did you feel about seeing him wearing the Argentinian colours, after so many victories as teammates?
AV – It was a peculiar sensation because we are friends as well. It was a special match as well as a spectacular one (with almost 4000 kibitzers). Madala has gone back to playing for Argentina: This is a great loss for our team and i think that the Italian Federation could have done more to try to avoid it. I feel bad that someone who gave so much to the team and played a key role in its achievements has not been adequately recognised. I’d say that the behaviour towards Agustin has been inconsiderate. These days they say that everyone is worth the same but I do not subscribe to that: I believe in meritocracy and Madala is not just anybody.
LC – Let’s talk about our Federation. in a few months, elections will take place to replace the council. What is your view of the situation?
AV – These elections must mark a change in Italian Bridge, which is currently not doing well in my opinion. The current president, Francesco Ferlazzo, has tried to solve many issues in his last eight years of administration and has brought about an excellent financial position. However, the drop in memberships is worrying, many clubs have shut and people do not really talk about Bridge anymore.
LC – What do you mean?
AV – I mean that we do not see bridge mentioned in the newspapers or on tv, even though we had international successes. Media presence is essential to socialize our game and recruit new players. Bridge needs marketing to attract younger people and get into schools/universities.
LC – What do you suggest in order to improve the situation, in addition to winning, which you have been doing for decades?
AV – I will join the fray as candidate Delegate Athlete, with Giuseppe Frenna as president.
LC – What made you decide to join Frenna’s ranks?
AV – He represents the new wave, he has many ideas and innovative proposals. He shows an authentic desire to invest in young people and in the clubs, and to involve professionals in our bridge education, which is what matters most to me right now. We used to have 20000 competitive players and now we are down to 8000. We have to do something!
LC – Chicca Brambilla and Pierfrancesco Parolaro also have their names on the ballot. What do you think about this?
AV – Honestly, I think that Chicca Brambilla is on the same wavelength as Frenna, with similar policies, while Pierfrancesco Parolaro champions a more conservative approach, focused on financial stability, without the required focus on marketing and rebirth. The time has come for us to change course: We need to stop this negative trend.
LC – During the campaign you have publicly declared to have been victim of an injustice: What do you mean?
AV – I have been deleted from the list of Technical Delegates because i was classed as an ‘inactive teacher’. This happened even though only a few months back i ran a one-hour online class to all Italian teachers who gathered in Salsomaggiore for a continuing professional development workshop. Other Technical Delegates are in the same boat, e.g. Marina Causa who has spent her last 30 years teaching and is renowned in the whole country for her skills and kind attitude. She hosts a bridge website where she answers questions every day and interacts with the public. But apparently according to this administration Marina and I are not teachers…
LC – Technical delegates have the right to vote, so in losing this title you lost the right to vote too.
AV – Precisely. this is only the tip of the iceberg. This campaign is dirty and they are using every means to advantage the old administration. I am very upset by this. But this is the time to keep our eyes on the target: Bridge. I really hope that people will vote for the best candidate, putting aside their personal interests.
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Laura Camponeschi for Neapolitan Club [English edition by Laura Cecilia Porro]
More info about 2025 Italian Federation Elections? Check in the Italian Edition: Elezioni 2025 »
