Different designations can be employed in the English language to define the nature of those bodies governing the rules of the game of bridge.

1.	Administration: the management of the affairs of an organization, such as a business or institution.
2.	Association: an organized body of people who have an interest, activity, or purpose in common.
3.	Federation: defined as any association or union for common action.
4.	Governing Body: the persons who, or the committees and/or departments which make up a body for the purpose of administering something.
5.	League: an association of teams or clubs that compete chiefly among themselves.
6.	Union: a combination so formed, especially an alliance or confederation of people, parties, or political entities for mutual interest or benefit.

In the game of bridge such bodies generally elect a Board of Directors to oversee the activities of the sanctioned bridge tournaments within a certain bondary, a certain geographical, and a certain bordered territory. In almost all instances such Board Directors will employ, designate, or hire other sources, which then oversee other features of the governing body.

These activities can include Laws Commissions, Competition and Conventions Committees, the publishing of certain Bylaws and regulating Handbooks of the governing body, which determine the conditions of contest of any sanctioned bridge event. Other committees may be formed to oversee the established Ethics and Discipline guidelines as determined by the governing body, and which may also review cases of misconduct and cheating.

Most countries, in which the game of bridge is played, found, establish, and organize governing bodies, which oversee all aspects of the game of bridge played in that country. The Laws of the game are translated into the language of the country with the original intent in order that the game can be conducted at designated tournaments with the highest degree of equity for all participants.

For international tournaments certain international governing bodies have been established to oversee borderless tournaments of an international level. These international governing bodies work together in order to conduct global tournaments and to ascertain that all features of the game result in an impartial and fair event, and at which the conformity of all participants concludes in the intended equity and manner of sportsmanship.

Asia Pacific Bridge Federation - The Pacific Asia Bridge Federation is a bridge organization in Pacific Asia. It is an organization formed in 1957 as the Far East Federation to administer bridge activities in the respective geographic area. This organization was later renamed. The PABF comprises World Bridge Federation Zone 6 and as of now the President is Ms Khunying Ester C. Sophonpanich of Thailand. The PABF includes 13 members Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

World Bridge Federation - The official website of the organization which takes care of the most widely played card game. The World Bridge Federation (WBF) was formed in August 1958 by delegates from Europe, USA and South America. In August 1977 it was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York as a non-profit organization. A new set of By-laws was adopted in September 1977.

World Bridge Federation Bridge Zones
The World Bridge Federation consists of eight Zonal Organizations. Each Zonal Organization administers bridge in its own geographical area, coordinating the National Federations of its member countries.

Under Construction

Albania Bridge Federation - (ALBF)
The Albania Bridge Federation is presented in the language of the country. WBF link.

American Contract Bridge League - (ACBL)
The American Contract Bridge League is the governing body for organized bridge activities and promotion on the North American continent. The League was founded in the year 1927 in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States, and was renamed the American Contract Bridge League in 1929.

Anguilla Bridge Association - (AnBA)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Antigua Contract Bridge Association - (ACBA)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Asociación del Bridge Argentino - (ABA)
The website includes links to ranking, results, publications, and many links to countries in South America.

Armenia Bridge Federation - (ArmBF)
Presently no website. Information from World Bridge Federation.

Aruba Bridge Federation - (AruBF)
Presently no website. Information from World Bridge Federation.

Australian Bridge Federation - (ABF)
The first organised bridge association were formed in New South Wales and Victoria in the early 1930s. During that time a number of other states also formed associations. To co-ordinate the sport nationally, the states formed The Australian Bridge Council. This organisation changed its name to the Australian Bridge Federation (ABF) in the 1960s.

Österreichischer Bridgesport-Verband - (OBV)
This is the Home Page of the Austrian Bridge Federation. Both in German and English. There is information about the News, Clubs and Travel, Tournament Calendar and much more.

Bahamas Bridge Association - (BBA)
Presently no website. Information from World Bridge Federation. Link in Bahamas.

Bahrain Bride Committee - (BBC)
Presently no website. Information from World Bridge Federation.

Bangladesh Bridge Federation - (BngBF)
Presently no website. Information from World Bridge Federation.

Barbados Bridge League - (BrBL)
The Barbados Bridge League presents all pertinent information in the language of the country.

Belarusian Contract Bridge Union - (BCBU)
The Bridge Union of Belarus presents all pertinent information in the language of the country.

Federation Belge de Bridge - Royal Belgian Bridge Federation - (BBF)
This Bridge Federation of Belgium is translated into four different languages: Dutch, English, French, and German.

Bermuda Bridge Federation - (BrmBF)
Presently no website. Information from World Bridge Federation.

Asociacion Boliviana de Bridge
Presently no website. Information from World Bridge Federation.

Bosnia and Herzegovina Bridge Federation
Presently no website. Information from World Bridge Federation.

Federacao Brasileira de Bridge - Bridge Federation of Brazil
This website is presented in the Portugese language.

Bridge Federation of Asia and the Middle East - (BFAME)
An organization founded in 1979 as Bridge Federation of Asia & the Middle East to administer bridge in the respective geographical area. In 1996, the Bridge Federation of Africa, Asia & the Middle East (BFAAME) was divided into three sub-zones, to be able to govern bridge better in its vast territory. In 2000, the African NBO's formed Zone 8 of the WBF and Zone 4 was once again re-named to its original Bridge Federation of Asia & the Middle East (BFAME)

Bulgarian Bridge Federation - BuBF
This website is in the native language of Bulgaria.

Bulgarian Bridge Federation
This is the website in English.

Canadian Bridge Federation - (CBF)
The Canadian Bridge Federation (CBF) is a Canada-wide bridge organization recognized by the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) and the World Bridge Federation (WBF). Membership in the CBF is purchased along with ACBL dues. As well, Canadian bridge players may purchase a CBF membership separate from the ACBL. The CBF organizes and runs three multi-level national events: the Canadian Open Pairs Championships (COPC); the Canadian National Team Championships (CNTC); and the Canadian Women's Team Championships (CWTC). These events begin at the grassroots level and, through a variety of playdowns, eventually designate teams and pairs to represent Canada in international competition.

Federación Chilena de Bridge - Chilean Bridge Federation
Presented only in the language of Chile.

Chinese Contract Bridge Association - (CBA)
The Chinese Contract Bridge Association is presently only in the language of the country.

Hong Kong Contract Bridge Assocaition Ltd. - (HKCBA)
Presented only in the language of English.

Macau Contract Bridge Association - (MCBA)
Presently no website. Information from World Bridge Federation.

Chinese Taipei Contract Bridge Association - (CTCBA)
Presented only in the language of Chinese.

Federacion Colombiana de Bridge
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Confederacion Sudamericana de Bridge - (CSB)
The Confederacion Sudamericana de Bridge was founded in 1948 to administer bridge in the South American countries.

Asociación Recreativa Nacional de Bridge de Costa - (ARNB)
The ARNB is officially recognized by the World Bridge Federation (WBF) and also by Zone 5 of the WBF, the Central American and Caribbean Bridge Federation (CACBF). In both cases, it is recognized as the National Bridge Organization (NBO) for Costa Rica. This means the ARNB has the responsibility for duplicate games that have international sanction and for selecting players to represent Costa Rica in zonal and international competition.

Hrvatski Bridge Savez - Croatian Bridge Federation - (CrBF)
The Bridge Federation of Croatia, or Hrvatskog Bridge Savesa, is presently only in the language of Croatia.

Cyprus Bridge Association - (CyBA)
Member of the European Bridge League and the World Bridge Federation and Member of the Cyprus Sport Organisation. A form of bridge was introduced and played in Cyprus in the early 20th Century. After World War II, the game of bridge became popular and this resulted, in 1960, in the establishment of the Cyprus Bridge Association (CBA). The aims of CBA are the regulation and promotion of the game of Bridge in Cyprus. CBA is also the organisation for the representation of Cyprus Bridge in the international arena.

Czech Bridge Federation - (CzBF)
This official website for the Czech Bridge Federation is both in Czech and in English.

Danmarks Bridgeforbund - (DB)
This is the Website of the Bridge Federation in Denmark. All items and features are in the native language of Denmark, and we hope that they will soon have an English version.

Dominican Republic Association - (DRA)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Federación Ecuatoriana de Bridge - (FEB)
The Ecuadorian Federation Bridge is a private corporation that is responsible for planning, directing and controlling the sport of bridge in the country of Ecuador, subject to the laws of the Republic and its regulations, the statutes of the COE and the Sports Federation national to international regulations Bridge.

Egyptian Bridge Federation
Early in the year 1930 the organization started under the name of the Egyptian Bridge Association. However, in the year 1969 it was merged with the Chess Federation under the name of Egyptian Bridge & Chess Federation. Finally on May 4, 1973, the independent EBF was registered under number 19/1973. In the same year it was re-registered under number 28/1973 creating the present Egyptian Bridge Federation.

English Bridge Union - (EBU)
The Home Page of the English Bridge Union containing all information regarding playing the game of bridge in the United Kingdom.

Note: The British Bridge League (BBL) had been operating from the year 1931. The British Bridge League was the original title for the National Bridge Organisation for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The British Bridge League devolved into its constituent Unions on December 31,1999.

Eesti Turniiribridžiliit - Bridge Federation of Estonia - (ETBL)
Presented is all pertinent information for the player of Estonia in the language of the country.

European Bridge League
The European Bridge League (EBL) was founded in 1947 at Copenhagen, Denmark, by delegates from the National Bridge Organizations (NBOs) of eight countries. Since then, it has grown to a confederation of the NBOs of almost all European countries. The EBL is a member of the World Bridge Federation (WBF). It comprises Zone 1 of the eight in which the world of bridge is divided geographically by the WBF.

Suomen Bridgeliitto - The Bridge League of Finland - (BLF)
Presented is information in Swedish, Finnish, and English, although the English portion is very scarce.

Fédération Française de Bridge - (FFB)
The Bridge Federation of France includes all pertinent information to the visitor. However, the visitor must be able to read French, because there is no English version at the moment.

Comité De Bridge De Guyane - (CBG)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Georgian Bridge Federation - (GBF)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Deutscher Bridge-Verband - German Bridge Federation - (DBV)
On February 4, 1949, the governing body was re-established as an Association, firstas a West German Bridge Association, which was renamed the Deutscher Bridge-Verband.

Hellenic Bridge Federation - (HBF)
The Greek name of the Hellenic Bridge Federation is Elliniki Omospondia Mpritz or EOM. Hellenic signifies Greece and the Greek Isles. You will be able to choose your language, Greek or English. Before you leave on your cruise or trip, be sure to check out the map of all the cities in the area where you can play bridge. You will be informed of the address, telephone and sometimes fax numbers. Do not worry if you do not speak Greek, since Bridge is such an international game. The site is at the moment under construction, but they have done a fine job so far.

Comite de Bridge de Guadeloupe - (GuBF)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Asociation Guatemalteca de Bridge - (AGB)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Guyana Bridge League - (GBL)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Association Haitiemme de Bridge - (AHB)

Nederlandse Bridge Bond - (NBB)
The Netherlands Bridge Federation is only in the language of the country.

Hungarian Bridge Federation - (MBSZ)
A Magyar Bridzs Szövetség honlapja. This Bridge Federation of Hungary is entirely in its native language.

Bridgegesambands Íslands - Icelandic Bridge Federation - (BI)
This website presents pertinent information to the bridge player only in the language of the country.

Bridge Federation of India - (BFI)
The website is written in English and presents all pertinent information to the bridge player.

Pengurus Besar Gabungan Bridge Seluruh Indonesia - (IBA)
This website presents pertinent information to the bridge player only in the language of the country.

Contract Bridge Association of Ireland - (CBIA), also Irish Bridge Union - (IBU)
Amended July 30, 2010. The Contract Bridge Association was founded in the year 1932. It is the official regulator for the recognized game of Contract Duplicate Bridge in this part of the island. As such, any changes to the worldwide rules are passed to us and then to our members. The CBAI structure divides the country into thirteen geographical Regions. The key administrator is the Regional Secretary who is assisted by County Development Officers. Regular meetings are held during the season. Clubs are kept informed on all relevant matters by the Regional Secretary, or directly from CBAI National Headquarters.

Northern Ireland Bridge Union - (NIBU)
The Northern Ireland Bridge Union is a member of the British Bridge League and of the Irish Bridge Union. It is a Union of Clubs grouped in six areas. You can discover the areas at this address.

Israel Bridge Federation - (IBF)
Israel has a bilingual website. The Israel Bridge Federation is the one and only Bridge organization in Israel.

Federazione Italiana Gioco Bridge - (FIGB)
This web site presents all the pertinent information for the bridge player in Italy.

Jamaica Bridge Association - JaBA
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Japan Contract Bridge League - (JCBL)
All contents of this page are in Japanese, and you need a browser which will read the Japanese fonts. If you continue clicking on Contents, you will discover that there is also an English version, so do not immediately surrender because you do not read Japanese.

Jordan Bridge Federation - (JBA)
This web site presents all the pertinent information for the bridge player in Jordan.

Korea Contract Bridge League - (KCBL)
The website offers both Korean and English.

Kuwait Bridge Federation - (KBC)
This web site presents all the pertinent information for the bridge player in Kuwait.

Latvijas Bridža Federācija - (LBF)
The main language on the website for the Latvian Bridge Federation is the language of Latvia. The visitor can, however, click on Bridge in Latvia, provided in English.

Federation Libanaise de Bridge - (FLB)
The Bridge Federation of Lebanon is written entirely in French.

Liechtensteinische Bridge Vereinigung - (LBV)
This Bridge Federation of Liechtenstein does not presently have an individual website. The link is via the World Bridge Federation.

Lietuvos Sportinio Bridzo Asociacija - (LBA)
The Lithuanian Sport Bridge Association is the leading national organization, developing and popularizing sports and playing bridge in the country of Lithuania. The main function of this organization to determine policy guidelines in the game of bridge and bridge and solve basic issues at the national level .

Federation Luxembourgeoise de Bridge - (FLuB)
The Bridge Federation of Luxembourg is preparing an English version. Login is required. For additional information one can contact the WBF link.

Macedonia
Macedonian Contract Bridge Federation - Welcome to the web page of Bridge Club Skopje. Bridge Club Skopje was established on 19.02.1992. The Webmaster has also included an English version.

Malaysian Contract Bridge Association -
Established in 1961 the pertinent information is presented in English.

Malta Bridge Association - (MBA)
This website provides information on all aspects of the affiliated clubs, including competition results and duplicate sessions.

District de Bridge de la Martinique - (DMV)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Federacion Mexicana de Bridge - (FBM)
This Bridge Federation of Mexico does not presently have an individual website. The link is via the World Bridge Federation.

Fédération Monégasque de Bridge - (FMoB)
The Bridge Federation of Monaco is presented in both French and English.

Mongolian Bridge Federation - (MBF)
The Mongolian Bridge Federation was established in the year 2002. It joined the World Bridge Federation in the year 2006, and became an official member of the Pacific Asian Bridge Federation in the year 2009. The link is via the World Bridge Federation.

Nepal Bridge Association - (NBA)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Bridge Bond Nederlandse Antillen - (BBNA)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Norsk Bridgeforbund -
The Bridge Federation of Norway is presented only in the language of the country.

New Zealand
New Zealand Contract Bridge Association

Pakistan Bridge Federation - (PBF)
The Pakistan Bridge Federation is the national governing body for all duplicate bridge activities in Pakistan. Founded in 1972, as Pakistan Bridge Association in Karachi, it obtained affiliation with Pakistan Sports Board in 1979, which confirmed bridge as a recognized sport by the Government of Pakistan. It became the founder member of the Bridge Federation of Africa, Asia & the Middle East (BFAAME) in the year 1981. In the year 1985, the Pakistan Bridge Federation hosted the third Zonal Championships in Karachi. Then, in 1993, the Pakistan Bridge Federation became officially known as Pakistan Bridge Federation.

Asociacion Panamena de Bridge - (APnB)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Asociación Paraguaya de Bridge - (APrB)
This Bridge Federation of Liechtenstein does not presently have an individual website. The link is via the World Bridge Federation.

Palestine Bridge Federation - (PBF)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Federacion Deportiva Peruana de Bridge - (FDPB)
This Bridge Federation of Liechtenstein does not presently have an individual website. The link is via the World Bridge Federation.

Philippine Tournament Bridge Association - (PTBA)
The website provides information to the visitor. A link to the WBF is included.

Polski Zwiazek Brydza Sportowego - (PBU)
The Bridge Federation of Poland is presented only in the language of the country.

Federação Portuguesa de Bridge - (FPB)
The Bridge Federation of Portugal is presented only in the language of the country.

Réunion
Bridge Réunion - Comité de Bridge de la Réunion

Qatar Bridge Association - (QBA)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Federatia Românã de Bridge - (FRB)
The Romanian Federation of Bridge was founded in 1990. Beginning in the year 2002 it was reorganized, according to the laws of the country, under the auspices of Education and Sports. The Romanian Federation of Bridge, in the association sports industry, has the authorization to organize and conduct relevant activities throughout the country.

Russian Bridge League - (RBL)
The Bridge Federation of Russia is presented only in the language of the country.

Saint Kitts Bridge Association - (SKBA)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Federazione Nazionale Sammarinese Bridge - (BFSM)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Saudi Arabia Bridge Federation - (SdABF)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Scottish Bridge Union - (SBU)
The purpose of the Scottish Bridge Union shall be the development and control of Duplicate Bridge in Scotland.

Bridz Savex Srbije - (BBS)
The Bridge Federation of Serbia is presented only in the language of the country.

Singapore Contract Bridge Association - (SCBA)
This association is the official National Sports Association (NSA) for Contract Bridge under the Singapore Sports Council.

Slovenský bridžový zväz - (SvBF)
The Bridge Federation of Slovakia is presented only in the language of the country.

Bridge zveza Slovnije - (BZS)
The Bridge Federation of Slovenia is presented only in the language of the country.

South Africa
South African Bridge Federation - The Website for the South African Bridge Federation was established in December 1999. The visitor will find all information necessary regarding Conventional Controls, National Events and Jurisdiction. The additional information offered is also of great interest. Email: webmaster@sabf.co.za.

Asociación Española de Bridge - (AEB)
The Spanish Association of Bridge is presented only in the language of the country.

Bridge Federation of Sri Lanka - (BFSL)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Surinaamse Bridge Bond - (SSB)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Sveriges Bridgeförbund - (SBF)
The Bridge Federation of Sweden is presented only in the language of the country.

Fédération Suisse de Bridge - (FSB)
The Bridge Federation of Switzerland is presented in Fench and German.

Tunisia
Tunisian Bridge Federation - Fédération Tunisienne de Bridge - FTB

Syrian Bridge Association - (SBA)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Contract Bridge League of Thailand - (CBLT)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Trinidad & Tobago Contract Bridge Association - (TTCBA)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Türkíye Bríç Federasyonu - (TBF)
The Bridge Federation of Turkey is presented only in the language of the country.

Ukrainian Bridge Federation - (UBF)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

United States Bridge Federation - (USBF)
The purpose of the United States Bridge Federation (USBF) is to advance the interests of the United States in international bridge competition, including the selection and support of United States bridge teams and players in international and Olympic bridge competition. The USBF was formed in 2001 by the American Contract Bridge League and the American Bridge Association in order to conform to Olympic rules that require each sport be governed by a national (not zonal) organization.

Asociación Uruguaya de Bridge - (AUB)
The Bridge Federation of Uruguay is presented only in the language of the country.

Virgin Islands Bridge Federation - (VIBF)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Uzbekistan Bridge Federation - (UzBF)
Presently not represented on the Internet. The link is to the World Bridge Federation.

Federación Venezolana de Bridge - (FVB)

Welsh Bridge Union - (WBU)
The Welsh Bride Unionis presented in English.

Yugoslavia
Yogoslav Bridge League - This Bridge Federation of the Yugoslavia does not presently have a Website. If you wish further information, please write to: Bulevar Revolucije 106, 11000 Beograd, Yugoslavia. Telephone: 381-11-462-749 / 341-321; Fax: 381-11-439-904.

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