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Brainy games are set to get a fresh injection of energy with the forming of the Bahrain Mind Sports Forum (BMSF).
Essentially, chess and Scrabble are part of the BMSF with bridge and dama (a local version of draughts or checkers) invited to join the group.
Bahrain Chess Club and Bahrain Scrabble League are the founding clubs in the BMSF. In a statement, the forum said it was formed: "to assist, promote and support mind games through the country's clubs dedicated to such sports."
Together, the forum aims to advise on tournaments, seminars, school workshops, regional and international competitions as well as publicity, fund raising and marketing, "working in concert."
BMSF is also interested in participating in the Festival of the Mind to be staged in Bahrain from October 23-26.
"The ultimate goal is, through the playing of mind games, to find personal satisfaction for our players as well as to benefit Bahrain through promoting what paedagogues call smart games," said BMSF moderator Jamal Abdulghaffar.
He also underscored how such games aid in developing analytical skills in young minds as well as keeping the grey matter active in the less young.
"By casting the international spotlight of mind sports on the kingdom," Mr Abdulghaffar added, "people in other parts of the globe are made aware that mind games play an important role in the life of the country's people."
