The OEMC2011 was a success, as expected. A lot of players succeeding to cover the expenses. No Chinese however, nor other Hungarian other than the winner. Not even a Dutch replacement for a Dutch player that couldn’t make it (although I was never asked….).

From the start of international tournaments in 2005 in Nijmegen expenses had to be covered. The only way to do it was to get enough players to participate and let them draw their wallets. No qualification, just get them in. Since then the way of thinking hasn’t changed all that much. At some point qualification was required for some countries, but still most could participate.
Getting sponsors for the big events has proved to be difficult. How to gain some benefit in sponsoring a tournament that has a turnover of about €50.000? A huge risk for any company. Future tournaments will not do any better and organizing a next event will be quite tricky. But it can be solved if the national associations will put their heads together in EMA and WMO and be sensible (in my line of thinking....).
Instead of getting a venue which holds about 200 people one should be thinking about a lot less. Make it 40 to 60. All players have combated in their own association to get a seat. Each association will see that these top players are fully covered for their expenses on subscription, stay, food and beverages. Only the best will play. That would not only make the OEMC or OWMC more credible to get the right one to win but also much cheaper and easier to pay for.
The way these expenses of those few players are to be covered is one of the national associations. But it is much easier to get a sponsor for about €3000,- for four players than to let them contribute to a full tournament. And if no sponsor can be found, then members of the association can take care of it. Or otherwise: it can be overseen. Furthermore the organizing country has almost no risk for all participating counties will take their part. Finding sponsors isn’t on the shoulders of one country, but of all.
I not only think this way of organizing and financing tournaments will be easier, I also think that an event as OEMC and OWMC with less participants will get a truly just winner as well. And, what it’s all about in the end, let it be me!
For those who don’t want to miss the event a B tournament could be organized. For the spouses, have-to-be-theres, don’t-want-to-miss-its and whoever want to support to have something to do. Just like in the Netherlands the tournaments have one for competitors and one for recreation. Enjoy the stay, but don’t mess with the real thing.

Adrie Van Geffen is a free lance writer and columnist about mahjong. He contributes regularly in Mahjong News. His website: http://home.online.nl/~a.c.mvangeffen/