There is a record prize-list of ?30,000 and a new ?1000 competition for those with disabilities, at the 30th Isle of Man International Darts Festival this year.
A large turnout is predicted for the 30th birthday edition of the tournament and defending Isle of Man singles champions Robbie “Kong” Green and Lorraine Winstanley will face stiff opposition as they defend their titles.
The venue for the four day tournament (March 5-8) will once again be the prestigious sea-front palatial Villa Marina complex in Douglas.
To mark the 30th birthday staging of the festival, organisers have added a special event – the World Disabled Dart Association competition. It will be open to players who rely on crutches or wheelchairs for their mobility, with a prize-list of ?1050 and the winner collecting ?350.
The festival continues to attract support from Isle of Man Tourism with further backing from: Okells Brewery, Specsavers, Winmau, Sleepwell Hotels, Quids Inn, Isle of Man Steam Packet and A180 Darts.
The four day festival of darts opens with the Okells Men’s Isle of Man Classic singles and Specsavers Women’s Isle of Man Classic on Thursday evening (March 5). There are top prizes of ?750 and ?500 respectively with the prize-money paid down to the last 16 and category C BDO rankings points on offer.
Twenty four hours later will see the mixed pairs competition and the Winmau World Masters youth playoffs with the winner of the latter earning a place in the grand finals in the north east of England.
The evening will also see the tournament’s inaugural WDDA competition staged as part of the island festival.
Saturday is the singles day as the prestigious men’s and women’s Isle of Man individual titles go up for grabs, with top prizes of ?5000 and ?3000 on offer, plus there are BDO Invitation Tables Category A rankings points available.
Sunday will see the men’s and women’s pairs contested in the morning following the finals of all events in the afternoon in the impressive Royal Hall at the Villa Marina complex.
Tournament organiser Les France said:
“We want the 2015 tournament – the 30th – to be something really special.
“We have been able to assemble a ?30,000 prize-list – a record in our special birthday year – which will see for the first time a special event for those with a disability. We will even have a new stage to mark our 30th Manx darts festival.
“I would personally like to thank all our sponsors who have remained loyal to this event and hope darts players from all over the UK, Europe and further afield show their support to the sponsors by turning out in force. Let’s have a record-breaking birthday bash.
“Winning the Isle of Man singles title has been an ambition of many players. World champions have chalked up successes on the stage but some great names of the sport have never won the title, so why not during the 30th event?”
Anyone requiring additional information about the tournament is asked to contact Les on 0161 793 6909 or via email at lfpromotions501@btinternet.com or lfpromo@btinternet.com.
The entry form is available to download from http://bit.ly/IOMDarts2015.
Islanders can find out information from local contact John Denny on 01624 824951.
Closing date for entry is 21st February 2015.
Photo - Minister Laurence Skelly MHK and Men’s Individual Winner 2014, Robbie Green.
