The BDO's curtain raiser took place this month with the 40th Winmau World Masters Darts Championships held in Hull, followed by the coveted 2014 Lakeside World Professional Darts Championship in January. The BDO's latest addition to the major events calendar will top the Tower just one month later.
This extension of the calendar provides professional darts players with a number of benefits, including the opportunity to gain crucial rankings points as well as earn further prize money. Brands and broadcasters are also set to gain from the increase, both in the UK and internationally as a result of the expansion. This is the first major strike for the recently formed BDO Events in their quest to develop the game, the first step of many to come.
Hosted at the stylish Tower Ballroom, which sits within the impressive Blackpool Tower, England, the tournament presents new opportunities for players yet to take to the oche on the main stage, to play alongside leading lights of the game including Scott Waites, Stephen Bunting, Jan Dekker and Richie George.
Scott Waites, reigning BDO World Darts Champion and professional darts player said, "A new event on the world stage is exactly what we need. I've been a serious player since 2007 and it's been great but I'm ready for a change and backing BDO Events all the way to freshen things up.
"For me it's as much about playing darts with my mates on a Monday night and having a laugh, as the razzmatazz of the big tournaments. But I'm walking taller since winning the BDO World's and very proud of that title, I've really turned it up a notch this year. It's time for a new era of darts and this new major will help spice things up at the top in a really unique venue.”
Sixty-four competitors will contest the Trophy, including sixteen of the finest women throwers and a further sixteen of the most promising youth players. The competition is open to all, with no restrictions on abilities to enter, which will provide a refreshing edge to this all-new challenge.
”Stephen Holland, Director at BDO Events said, "The new major at Blackpool Tower in February will bring the world's top ranked players to the UK along with wildcards that could positively surprise attendees and competitors alike.
"The prize fund, the second richest behind The World Championship, held at Lakeside, will draw the attention of the best throwers overseas in the game. We're committed to furthering the credibility of BDO; this prestigious tournament is the first step in a long-term exciting future for the organisation.”
The launch of the new competition and the sizeable prize fund marks an important first step in the right direction for the BDO and its extensive membership. Next year the BDO will re-package existing events and introduce new challenges and formats to give the organisation a new identity that will enable it to distinguish itself from rival competitions. Modifications are being made in conjunction with members to ensure BDO Events make only positive changes, which enable BDO to continue to be the home for darts players of all abilities, while also providing new and increased opportunities for women and youth throwers at every level.
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