Stage set for Bahrain Darts Masters
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), “The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East”, hosted last night the official welcome reception and draw for the first-ever Bahrain Darts Masters, which is being supported by Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority (BTEA).
The prestigious two-day darts extravaganza takes place tomorrow and Friday at BIC in Sakhir, opening the 2023 calendar of the PDC World Series of Darts.
Last night’s draw was held at The Gulf Hotel and it determined the match-ups for the first round of play, featuring eight of darts’ most iconic international superstars who are set to compete against eight leading players from Bahrain and across Asia.
BIC Chief Executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa attended the event along with other high-ranking BIC officials, the players and others participating in this week’s events.
The draw results sees newly crowned world champion and world number one Michael Smith take on Bahrain’s Abdulnaser Yusuf; two-time World Series winner Dimitri Van den Bergh play Alain Abi-Abi from the Philippines; rising star and world number five Luke Humphries face Man Lok Leung from Hong Kong; former world champion Raymond van Barneveld play Yuki Yamada of Japan; exworld champ Peter Wright face Toru Suzuki, also from Japan; former world champion Rob Cross take on Nitin Kumar from India; ex-world champ Gerwyn Price play Paul Lim of Singapore; and former Premier League and World Cup of Darts champion Jonny Clayton take on Bahraini qualifier Bassim Mahmood.
Speaking at yesterday’s draw, Smith commented: “I’m really happy to be here in Bahrain.
“If you don’t know what this event is about, just buy a ticket and come watch and you’ll be hooked for life. “I know Bahrain from watching Formula 1. I’m an F1 fan so I like to watch the race every year.
“It is massive for the PDC [Professional Darts Corporation] to come here. We want to expand globally and we want to grow the sport as big as we can.
It’s good not only for the people watching but for us professionals as well; we get to travel the world and visit beautiful cities like this.”
Matches will get underway at 7pm tomorrow and Friday, with entrance open for fans to attend from 6pm on both days.
The first round will be taking place tomorrow, with the winners of each contest moving on to the quarter-finals on Friday.
The semi-finals and final will follow that same evening. For the highly anticipated Bahrain Darts Masters 2023, BIC’s dome tent has been transformed into a spectacular darts venue.
Fans attending are set to experience an incredible atmosphere, with fancy dress encouraged.
Those interested in experiencing the event’s electric atmosphere must buy their tickets today as there is limited capacity.
Tickets start at BD25 for general admission for the two days.
Premium seating is also available with hospitality options inclusive of food and beverages.
Complete details on ticket options and prices can be found at bahraingp.com.
The tickets can be bought on the BIC website or through the BIC Hotline on +973-17450000.
BIC and leading sports promoter CBX have teamed up with the PDC to bring the World Series of Darts to Bahrain, in partnership with the BTEA.
The event is also supported by DSV and The Gulf Hotel.
The Bahrain Darts Masters 2023 will be broadcast live to a TV audience reaching over 200 million people in more than 185 countries worldwide.
Darts is the second mostwatched sport in the UK after football and is best known for the hosting of the World Darts Championship, which attracts a crowd of over 90,000 people to Alexandra Palace every year across the Christmas and New Year period.
For more information on the Bahrain Darts Masters 2023, visit bahraingp.com or call the BIC Hotline.
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