Record number of entries for next week’s Malta Open
The pinnacle event on the Maltese darting calendar is upon us again as no fewer than 358 entries from 22 different countries have been registered to date which is a record number of participants for the WDF / BDO ranking event here on the island.
The 29th edition will take place at the Topaz Hotel in Qawra between Tuesday 15 and Thursday 17 November with four titles up for grabs: Men`s Singles; Ladies Singles; Men`s Pairs and Ladies Pairs.
In the men`s competition 290 entries have been registered in the singles event and 139 in the pairs which is an increase of 54% from last year`s edition.
On the list of players, some notable names taking part are Darius Labanauskas (Lithuania )the current number 1 ranked WDF player; Madars Razma (Latvia) winner of four WDF ranking tournaments in 2016; David Carr (England) – semi-finalist of the Scottish Open and German Masters this year and Julio Barbero Gonzalez, Spain`s number 3 ranked player.
A large number of local players will also be taking part with some aiming to enjoy the moment and experience on offer and others aiming to go all the way and claim the title, which has been missing since 1993.
The ladies’ competition has also seen a substantial increase in registered players with Ann Kathrin Wigmann of Germany aiming to defend the title she won last year again Krisitin Bomander of Sweden.
Locally the ladies’ darts scene has also seen an increase in popularity and certainly would not rule out a surprise or two at the Malta Open from some of the local players.
During this year`s event, charity funds will be raised supporting the “Solidarity through Sports” programme. The opening for this year`s event on Tuesday 15 November at 5.55pm will be conducted by Her Excellency Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta; Chris Agius, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport and Edward Bonnici, the Malta Darts Association`s president.
Once again the Malta Darts Association will be live streaming the four finals on Thursday 17 November on the association`s you-tube channel. More information can be found on the associations Facebook page “Malta Darts Association”.
The full program for the 3-day event is as follows:
Tuesday 15 November
6.30pm Doubles Men up to last 4 pairs.
7.00pm Doubles Ladies up to last 4 pairs.
Wednesday 16 November
5.30pm Singles Men up to last 32
6.30pm Singles Ladies up to last 16.
Thursday 17 November
5.30pm Last 32 Singles Men and Semi – Finals Ladies Doubles.
6:00pm Last 16 Ladies Singles and Last 16 Men Singles.
6:20pm Last 8 Men Singles.
6.30pm Last 8 Ladies Singles.
6:40pm Semi – Final Men Singles.
7:00pm Semi- Finals Men Doubles and Semi-Final Ladies Singles
7:45pm Final Ladies Doubles. On Stage
8:30pm Final Men Doubles. On Stage
9:00pm Final Ladies Single. On Stage
9.45pm Final Men Singles. On Stage
10:30pm Presentation. On Stage