By OUR CORRESPONDENT
Excitement Builds as 16 foreigners sign up for Nairobi Darts Masters
Over 15 foreign players will be among the strong field of 96 earmarked for Nairobi Darts Masters set to take place on December 5-6, at the Broadwalk Mall Ballroom in Nairobi,organized by the Sirua Darts Group.
This exciting event will also bring together top players from Kenya, with a total prize money of $10,000, and the winner will take home 260,000 KES.
According to Dan Karori, Director of Sirua, the goal is to create a safe space for people to play darts and to support the development of the sport in Kenya.
Darts has a rich history in Kenya, dating back to the 1940s when the Kenya Darts Association was formed. Legendary players like John Munyui and John Giringacha paved the way for future generations, and now Kenyan players are making a name for themselves internationally.
The Sirua Darts who are the organisers of Nairobi Darts Masters aims to monetize the sport and provide opportunities for players to succeed.
The tournament will feature four categories including the Masters, Ladies Showdown, Juniors Under 15.
The University Darts Challenge Cup and will have a total of 256 players. Notably, 16 slots will be reserved for foreigners from six nationalities, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Tanzania, and Switzerland. The international participation is expected to elevate the competition, with interest from the Swiss Darts Corporation.
“We have a good number of 16 foreigners participating,” said Karori.
Top Kenyan players participating in the tournament include Kenya’s number one, David Munyua, Manpreet Kalsi, and Aryan Khalsa.
As KDA Chairman Wilson Githae notes, “Darts is one of the biggest sports in the world,” and stakeholders are keen to emulate the success of past players. With professionals now playing overseas, the future of Kenyan darts looks bright.
“We’re thrilled to be hosting the Nairobi Masters, bringing together the best darts players in Kenya,” said Karori. “Our aim is to create a safe and supportive environment for people to play the sport, and it’s fantastic to see Kenyan players performing well internationally. We’ve had a long journey to get to this point, but we’re excited about the potential for darts in Kenya. With a total prize money of $10,000, we’re confident that this event will attract top talent and help take the sport to the next level.”
Meanwhile, the Kenyan darts scene is buzzing with excitement, with several top players set to compete in major international tournaments.
Aryan is feeling confident after his experience in Hungary, saying, “My confidence levels are flying sky high after my experience in Hungary. I now know what to expect and how to handle pressure.” Manpreet Kalsi is focused on performing well at the Masters while David Munyua is making history as the first Kenyan to qualify for the PDC World Championship.
Peter Wachiuri will be heading to the ADC Global Championship in Portsmouth on December 1, while David Munyua will compete in the PDC World Championship in London from December 11.
Aryan who just returned from participating in the WDF World Masters in Budapest earlier this month will be heading to the IDSL Championship in Portsmouth in December. The Nairobi Darts Masters promises to be an exciting event for players and fans, showcasing the talents of Kenya’s top players.
