Mind-blowing definition

Is chess a sport? How about playing cards?

Hein Verbruggen thinks they are.

As the president of Sport-Accord, the organizer of the ongoing World Mind Games in Beijing, Verbruggen says games like bridge, chess, go and draught should be recognized as sports.

"Some people may say sport has to do with something physical or your body. Don't you think your brain is part of your body? I will say yes, so it's physical," the 71-year-old said.

"What is the widely accepted definition of sport? The IOC doesn't have it. SportAccord has accepted the mind games as sport. Chess and bridge are both recognized by the IOC. So you can conclude that the international committees recognize them as sports."

After stepping down as president of the Union Cycliste Internationale in 2005, the Dutchman shifted his focus to quiet yet competitive events like the mind games.

"Our concept for mind games is different than other games. It is much more that if we intend to organize a festival, it has to be festive," the former IOC member said.

"The mind games are always very pleasant. It's not a hectic one. Players are quiet. They don't say much, they concentrate. It's just nice to do something for it. In general it struggles a little bit to get into the public eye."

Beijing, which hosted the inaugural event last year, will continue to stage it while promoting the games at the grassroots' level by organizing campus activities. World champions will visit schools to interact with student enthusiasts.