Teenage darts sensation Luke Littler has insisted that the PDC World Darts Championship should stay at Alexandra Palace (Ally Pally) amid suggestions from Barry Hearn that Saudi Arabia want to host the event. Back in December, Hearn was asked about the prospect of the darts moving to Saudi.
While he was not against the prospect of doing that, the Matchroom founder insisted that it was currently off the table as the Middle East state would not allow alcohol in the venue. “The Saudis asked me for darts about a couple months ago and I asked them a simple question,” Hearn said on talkSPORT.
“Can we have alcohol? And they said no. I said well then you can’t have the darts.”
Despite ruling out a move to the Middle East for the World Championships, the PDC will be hosting an event in Saudi Arabia on January 19 and 20. That will be part of the World Series of Darts and, unlike their other tournaments, alcohol will be banned.
Explaining this decision, Hearn said: “If we can’t drink in a country where we must respect their traditions and their laws, we don’t drink.” Littler is expected to compete in Saudi next year after he will hope he has retained the World Championship.
And while the 18-year-old is not set to boycott the event in January, he has insisted he would not compete in a World Championships held there. “I definitely wouldn’t go over there for the worlds [championships],” he told SportsBoom.
“I think you’ve got to keep it at Ally Pally. I’ve not seen any money yet but I’m sure I won’t be going over there for nothing.”
Snooker made its debut in Saudi last year and offered the players a chance to bank a £745,000 bonus if they could pot a golden ball after completing a maximum 147 break – thus securing a 167 break. “It’s very good what Turki Al-Sheikh is doing for boxing wise, but obviously now he wants the darts and obviously we’re going in January,” Littler continued.
“I’m sure he’ll put the money on the table for whoever plays in it. I’ve only seen the golden ball on the Matchroom documentary when I was watching it, I didn’t have a clue about it before.
“Obviously a million pound to do a 147, then a 167, so maybe he comes up with a golden nine darter or something. Make the double 12, double 15 or double 18 golden.
“Could even do a golden 170 and make the bullseye golden. I’m sure he’ll come up with something.”
Littler was speaking ahead of Sunday night’s World Grand Prix final where he will face his old adversary Luke Humphries. The winner at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester will bag £120,000 in prize money.