The championship tagged “June Open” that is being organized by Darts Federation of Nigeria (DFN) in conjunction with Benue State Darts Association will be bankrolled by the Benue State Government as part of its sports development programme.
Disclosing this to Trustsport in a phone conversation, the President of DFN, Billy Akinsola said every necessary arrangement towards the hosting of the championship has been formalized.
Akinsola disclosed that players for the tournament would be coming from all the 36 states of the federation including Abuja.
He also said over twenty states have confirmed their participation already while others were yet to but he maintained hope that they would eventually participate
Furthermore, he remarked that the state Governor Gabriel Suswan who was at the October Open held last year in the state is seriously keen to boost the game in the state, adding that the impressive performance of the state team at the 16th National Sports Festival in Kaduna prompted the governor to sponsor this year’s edition.
“When we had the October Open last year in Makurdi, Governor Suswan was there and he was full of excitement to have seen great men and women coming from different part of the country for the championship. So he pledged that he will want us to come back to the state one more time having enjoyed the game to the fullest”, said Akinsola. .
Moreover,he said participants would vie for honours in nine various categories during the games, namely; Federation Cup 701 men’s doubles, Msheila’s trophy TDB men’s singles, Chief A.G.Haruna trophy 501 men’s singles and 501 ladies singles. Others are 501 veteran singles, TDB veteran singles, TDB ladies singles, 501 mixed doubles and Alhaji Makarfi cup 1001 double.
