PNG darts eyes Pacific top spot

By ISAAC LIRI
DARTS is pushing in the right direction with the objective of including the code in future Pacific Games.
Upon the arrival of the PNG darts contingent last Friday from Vanuatu, where they dominated the tournament, team leader Benjamin Toka, pictured, said they made PNG proud.
Toka was undefeated throughout the tournament winning three gold medals in the singles, doubles and team events.
As a result of Toka’s outstanding performance he was privileged with the opportunity for a friendly match with 16-time world darts champion Phil Taylor, who was the guest of honour at the awards presentation.
“I performed well in the tournament, I was undefeated all through the tournament and I got most medals out of all the Pacific nations that participated,” Toka said.
“We are trying to promote darts at the regional level so it can be included in the Pacific Games and that is what we are trying to achieve right now, that’s the future we are looking at.
“There are many potential young boys and girls coming up and they’ve shown interest and we hope our performance in Vanuatu can create a pathway for them to excel.”
Team manager Goasa Geita said the inaugural event saw five countries participating including PNG.
The other four countries were hosts Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Nauru and Niue.
“We are trying to put ourselves in the picture where we can appeal to the Pacific Games Council to involve darts in the Pacific Games,” Goasa said.
“We will be sending a letter to the PNG Olympic Committee to include darts as one of the sports in the Pacific Games.
“Dart has now come up with a Pacific tournament and the next one will be in Niue in 2020.
“The question is why we play darts in the PNG Games and not in the Pacific Games.
“We want to prove that countries are coming together to promote darts as one of the sporting codes of the Pacific region,” Goasa added.