It’srare for any sportsperson in India to represent the country in twodifferent sports at the international level. But Sumathi Iyer fromChennai has this unique distinction. First as a cricketer and now asa bridge player.
Ina cricketing career spanning nearly three decades, Sumathi hasrepresented the State, South Zone, University, and India teams. In1980, Sumathi became the first international woman umpire from India,and has officiated at many games including women’s Test matches,one-day internationals, and men’s league matches. She even holds arecord of holding the highest number of catches in a match i.e.seven.
Sumathi,69, has been involved with bridge for more than a decade but cricketremains her first love. "Cricket is my first love and I playedthe sport with distinction and still follow the game. But today Ilike to play bridge. After certain age, you can't go on to the fieldand play cricket. You need to play and take up some other sport and Itook bridge. This sport has helped me keep myself mentally andphysically alert and keep my energy level going," Sumathi who isparticipating at the ongoing 5thAsia Cup Bridge Championship at Taj Cidade Goa told The Goan.
“Thisis the first time I am representing India at the international levelin bridge. So, previous year, we had participated in manytournaments and won a lot of them. So, I got placed in many of thosetournaments because of which I gained master points. It was probablybecause of those performances, I got selected in the Indian team, “said Sumathi.
Sheexplained her tryst with bridge: "I learned the game from myhusband more than a decade ago. But, now, he is no longer among us. Ilost him in 2018. I started playing with him as a partner, as ateammate in the Gymkhana Club in Chennai. I slowly started developinginterest in bridge. We used to play in the Gymkhana often as I wasmember over there. The best part about this game is that people from25 years to even 90 years old are playing it. There is no retirementfor this game. I am delighted to see and interact with many of ourbridge players," recalled Sumathi, who has worked as a bankerwith Canara Bank for more than 35 years.
Sumathisaid that the sport has made her mentally sharper and has alsoincreased her thinking capacity. "This cards game sharpens yourmind; it sharpens your thinking capacity. There is so much to learnfrom the game. It helps you to bond with people. It helps in teambonding. I regret not having played in my earlier days," shesaid.
In2015, when Chennai hosted the 42nd World Bridge Teams Championshipswhich included the Bermuda Bowl, Venice Cup, and d’Orsi Trophy,Sumathi informed that she was lucky to be a lady official in thatBermuda Bowl. The 2015 championship in Chennai marked the first timethis global World Bridge Federation event was ever held in India.
Accordingto Sumathi, bridge has helped her to make friends world over andwants all women cricketers who have retired and also younger ones toplay bridge. "I would advise lot of women cricketers to playbridge online. It will help in sharpening your mind," she said.
