THE PDC is taking a competitive darts event to Saudi Arabia for the first time.
Next year’s World Series of Darts will include a trip to Saudi in mid-January as part of Riyadh Season.
GettyBarry Hearn remains a hugely influential figure in darts[/caption]
GettyTurki Alalshikh wants to give darts a “crazy” twist[/caption]
The move will give arrows fans in the Middle Eastern nation their first chance to watch Luke Littler and Co on home soil.
And it could be a groundbreaking tournament.
Chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority Turki Alalshikh has said he wants to get involved in darts and introduce a “crazy concept” to the sport.
Alalshikh has already shaken up the boxing world by staging some of the past decade’s biggest fights in his homeland.
And while appearing on Netflix series Matchroom: The Greatest Showman, Alalshikh said: “I want to do the darts, but I want to do it [in a] crazy way.”
Matchroom Sport founder Hearn hinted that he’d be willing to think outside the box when he told Alalshikh: “We’re on a mission.
“We want to have relationships with people like you for the long-term in place, and then we want to grow a massive business.”
Alalshikh was the mastermind behind the 20-point gold ball that was introduced at the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters last year.
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The first player to pot it and make a 167 break will bank a $1million (£740,000) bonus.
Whether Alalshikh has a simular idea up his sleeve for the darts remains to be seen.
Darts is notorious for its boozy culture – but that will have to take a back seat in Saudi, where alcohol is banned.
Hearn recently told Sky Sports: “If we can’t drink in a country where we must respect their traditions and their laws, we don’t drink. And if you don’t want to go, don’t go.”
The World Series of Darts will begin with the Bahrain Darts Masters from January 15-19.
The Saudi debut will follow from January 19-20, before subsequent events in Denmark, the USA, New Zealand and Australia, as well as the Finals in Amsterdam.
AlamyLuke Littler could play in Saudi Arabia early next year[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
