Zia
When seasoned bridge players have so many different takes on Zia’s behaviour at the table, it must be even harder for those less experienced to know what to make of it. There is a danger then that the latter may conclude that berating one’s partner, even in jest, is the mark of a great player. And by modelling themselves on that, take us back to the “good old days” when being a great player meant displaying a great ego, with the expectation that a great ego must be allowed great latitude. Much better for the game in general to take to heart the advice given by the sportswriter Grantland Rice
“For when the great scorer comes to write against your name,
He marks not that you won or lost but how you played the game.”
There is a grandeur in bridge that very much reminds me of part of Henry Newbolt’s poem “Vitai Lampada”
“And it’s not for the sake of a ribboned coat,
Or the selfish hope of a season’s fame,
But his Captain’s hand on his shoulder smote
Play up! play up! and play the game!”
The last line says it all!
Subscribe to our feed
Bridge-related
Hi Paul,
We have all fallen from grace, both at and away from the bridge table. Nobody’s perfect. I think making an international incident out of Zia’s behavior (assuming the reports were accurate) is a bit much. He didn’t hurt anyone physically. He didn’t cheat (for which so many violators were never charged, tried and prosecuted). To me, the latter is far worse though I am not advocating chastising one’s partner whether deserved or not.
If what we have been reading is true, he definitely stepped out of line and he is now paying the price. Recent remarks earmark it as a good old fashioned witch hunt. Zia has been one of our most gracious Goodwill Ambassadors for over four decades. How quickly we all forget!
Hi Paul,
First, I agree with Judy’s take on the Zia incident.
Second, my mind goes back, perhaps twenty to thirty years ago, when I often attended some great annual money tournaments in Europe at several locations, always with worthwhile and generous corporate sponsors.
Many times, at the ones I attended, Zia was there and always, without exception, when it came time for the awards presentation (usually the closing banquet), eloquently took the microphone and both raved about the organization present as well as the special positive treatment of the players and their guests.
He was the player’s ambassador and without him, those extraordinary tournaments would not have had the luster or grandeur that they possessed after his praise.
Perhaps I was the only participant who felt his warmth and preparation and sometimes I held back tears prompted by his kind words.
Sadly his accusers in this present case do not know what he represented back then, which only makes me believe that one swallow does not a summer make, nor one or two lesser incidents indicate a person’s character and value.
If you are going to say someone behaved badly, perhaps you should say what he said/did. That way, readers can decide for themselves whether criticism is warranted, or whether it is likely to have been in jest.
All this beating around the bush is just character assassination.
Hi Lak,
The controversy is discussed on Bridgewinners in living color.
Hello Lak,
I was simply referring to the 91 comments on the matter at
http://bridgewinners.com/article/view/zia-joins-lavazza-team/
Thanks, Paul. I must have missed the whole thing on BW.
I went back and read the BW thread. Zia’s comments made me cringe.
Steve Garner’s comment on the thread gives me hope. He seems to have forgiven Zia, and the crucial word is “forgiven”. In other words, both Garner and Zia seem to think Zia misbehaved.
Indeed, I hope it is Garner’s behavior that serves as a model to all up-and-coming players. He stayed calm throughout the episode, still considers Zia a friend, says Zia’s behavior is inexcusable and posted a classy response to the controversy.
Speaking of “cringing”:
http://cam.bridgeblogging.com/2010/11/16/whats-goin-on/
We’re a gaggle of volunteers and starting a new scheme
in our community. Your site offered us with useful info to work
on. You have performed a formidable job and our entire community can be grateful
to you.