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This is an old press release article that was sent to me by Michael Heal explaining, how the Caribbean and America's Cup Tournaments, have come to be held in Barbados and have become associated with the Brydon's Darts Festival, (hosted by the World Superstar Darts Celebrity John Lowe,) that is held there annually.

……..PRESS RELEASE ………. PRESS RELEASE ……… PRESS RELEASE ……

Updated 2 May 2006 

BARBADOS TO HOST 2006 CARIBBEAN AND  AMERICA’s CUP DARTS TOURNAMENTS

At a recent meeting between the officers of The Caribbean Darts Organisation (CDO) and their counterparts at The Barbados Darts Association, it was agreed that Barbados would step in, at short notice, to stage the Caribbean and America’s Cup tournaments – the most representative and prestigious darts events in the Caribbean darts calendar.

The tournaments, which take place every two years, were originally scheduled to take place in Guyana from July 14 – 24, 2006.  However these dates now clash with elections in that country and the authorities could not guarantee the safety of the 300 plus participants and supporters at that volatile time.  Faced with this dilemma, the President of the CDO, Trevor Lloyd, approached the BDA to step in and take on the role of staging the events – a sizable organizational task given that the host country normally has two years to plan for them 

Brian Evelyn, President of the BDA, is delighted to be given the opportunity to make Barbados the venue for such a large and prestigious event.

“Barbados last hosted these events in 2000 and we gained a lot of practical experience from this.  We have also been hosting successfully the Barbados Darts Festival for the last four years and this has cemented our links with darts organisations around the world.

Although it is at short notice, it is gratifying to know that the executive board of the CDO has the confidence in our organisational abilities.  They commented on how they appreciated the wide range of hotels and the superb facilities at Sherbourne Centre”.

Fourteen countries from the Caribbean, Central and South America plus Florida send teams comprising of 8 men, 5 women and 3 officials to contest the Caribbean Cup, played over five days.  These teams are then joined by teams from the USA and Canada and, hopefully Peru, to contest the WDF America’s Cup and in previous years the Canadian team has included World Champion John Part – no stranger to these shores!

Trevor Lloyd, President of the CDO, comments;-

“Barbados was already the automatic first choice to replace Guyana because they were the official runner’s up for the 2006 bid.  That they organised such a successful event in 2000 merely underlined the faith we have in their organizational skills – even though they will have only eight months to plan for it.  We have also been impressed by the assurances of financial assistance from both the government and corporate Barbados”.

The Barbados Darts Association and The Masters Darts Club have also been able to introduce another ingredient which is sure to give these events an extra dimension.  As organisers of the Barbados Darts Festival in November for the last four years they have secured the right from The Professional Darts Corporation, the world governing body for the professional game, to stage an event which sees the winner from the region have the chance to qualify for one of the remaining 16 places at the Ladbrokes.com World Championships in England in December.

Together with Michael Heal, Festival Director of The Brydons Barbados Darts Festival, it was agreed that for 2006 only this event will be staged during the Caribbean Cup tournament to enable many more darts players from the region the chance to step onto the world stage and compete against the world’s top professionals.  The winner will compete in the UK ( all expenses paid ) on December 2nd for one of the 16 places remaining for The PDC World Championships later in the month where he will be guaranteed £3,500 and has the chance of winning the £100,000 first prize!

Michael Heal comments;-

“This change of plan for 2006 will in no way detract from the appeal of the Brydons Barbados Darts Festival – it will remain a popular date in the darts calendar.  In fact, we hope that by meeting up with more of the regions top players here in July we can encourage them to participate here against the Brits and the celebrities in November.  The PDC qualifier for the World Championships will return to being part of the Brydons Barbados Darts Festival from October 2007.  This will mean that we have two great tournaments in 2006  - great for darts and darts players in the region!”

Editor’s note:

The Caribbean Darts Organisation consists of ;-

Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guyana, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands.

Florida is also allowed to compete as it was a founder member in 1976

 

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