It's almost difficult to believe that the inaugural IPC is barely a month away. I say difficult only because after having thought and planned for so many months, we're literally within sniffing distance. The excitement is palpable and everyone who is associated with the IPC especially the lads over at the BPC are looking forward to relaxing in sunny Goa and getting some tough poker action going at the same time.
Speaking of Goa, it is incredibly heartening to have atleast one state in India which facilitates an event such as ours. The IPC is essentially aiming to grow the sport of poker in India and having Goa with its multiple casinos is helpful in nurturing the numbers. We wish to be an event which is associated with getting together the many hundreds and indeed thousands of poker lovers which exist in this country. While the Bombay underground scene (as with the other cities in the country) will continue to operate under the radar, it's good that poker players across India have a place where they can come and expect to get some quality poker action.
A little bit about Goa for those who aren't familiar with the place - Goa lies in the Western part of India, just below the state of Maharashtra. This former Portugese colony attracts in excess of 2 million tourists every year. The many many miles of virgin beaches across the state are a big draw with beach lovers from all over the world. Panaji or Panjim is the state capital and is quite the tourist attraction in its own right with many beautiful churches and buildings constructed in Portugese style architecture. It's safe to say that Goa is probably the hub of tourism in India. The inflow of foreigners goes back a long way from the 40s and 50s. Those who came and never left because they fell in love with the beauty and lifestyle of this place. While the Indian tourist numbers have gone up significantly in the past decade or two, before this it wasn't entirely uncommon to feel just a wee bit out of place in this state which seemingly had more white people than brown.
An image taken at Uttorda beach
People rarely come to Goa for work related reasons (although technically this event is work for us hah). Goa is all about the relaxing... the 'chilling'. People come here to take advantage of almost 70 kms of unbroken coastline and beaches. Another big draw is the local cuisine. They say you haven't eaten anything if you haven't had Goan fish-curry and rice. Of course the beverages will free flow through the orgy of food. Hardly surprising as the lowered tax laws in the state mean that anything from a basic bottle of beer to really good scotch cost much lesser than they would anywhere else in the country. So a typical plan for the Goa vacationer would be to bum on the beaches all day... sip on icecold brews... catch some rays... spalsh about in the ocean... eat at the shacks... snooze away in the afternoon. Partake in Susegaad (a Portugese derived typical Goan phrase which means "to relax and enjoy life) as the locals do and then hit the nightlife in the evening at one of the many watering holes, clubs, night markets and restaurants.
Of course if you are a poker player your evenings will be spent on board Casino Pride grinding away at the tables whilst playing in the India Poker Championship. So many weeks and months have passed by in a blur and its going to be the case for the remaining weeks as well. It is going to be fantastic to interact with so many poker enthusiasts from all parts of the country. There's nothing like having a cold beer and good poker conversation with a fellow enthusiast.
I can't wait!
~ Peace Out ~
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