IN celebration of its 100th anniversary this year, the Indian Association Penang will hold an Inter Club & Association Invitational Darts Tournament at its premises on Jalan Bagan Jermal in George Town on Aug 3 and 4.
Organising chairman Sureindran Kathireson said they expect around 200 darters from over 25 teams representing associations and clubs across the country to participate in the two-day event.
Confirmed participants include the Indian Association Penang, Kedah Indian Association, Taiping Indian Association, Royal Kedah Club, Kelab Sungai Petani, Kulim Club, Penang Sports Club, Penang Dart Association, Old Xaverian Association, CRC Taiping, Taiping New Club, Kinta Indian Association, Indian Recreation Club Ipoh, Royal Ipoh Club, Dinding Recreation Club, Rawang Indian Recreation Club, Kelab PJ, Port Dickson Hash Club, Selangor & Federal Territory Eurasian Association, Selangor Coast Club Kelang, Lower Perak Club Teluk Intan, and Royal Comenweth Society.
“Penang was once a vibrant hub for dart enthusiasts. The Indian Association of Penang last hosted a dart tournament in 2013, over a decade ago. As we celebrate our centennial, we aim to revive the popularity of the game with this upcoming major tournament,” Sureindran said in an interview.
“We’re pleased to see that this invitational tournament attracting a diverse mix of players of different ages and backgrounds.”
Also present were sports chairman C. Nadarajah, a former national footballer, secretary A. Chandrasekaran, technical director S.T. Ganasen, and committee members S. Nathan and K.S. Govindaraja.
The tournament promises exciting matches and an electric atmosphere.
Prizes up for grabs include RM3,000 for the winner, RM1,500 for the runner-up, RM600 per team for 3rd & 4th placings, RM300 per team for 5th to 8th placings, RM300 for Plate Pool Champion, RM200 for Plate Pool runner-up, and RM100 for Plate Pool 3rd & 4th placings.
Ganasen explained that the teams will be divided into eight groups of four, playing a round-robin format, with the top two from each group advancing to the last 16 knockout phase.
Each team will consist of a maximum of five players and a minimum of four, inclusive of the captain.
He added that all matches will feature the following games in this order: Foursome (1 x 1001), 1st Singles, 1st Double, 2nd Single, 2nd Double & 3rd Single (3 x 501). All games will be straight start and double finish.
Looking back, the dart section expressed their gratitude to Krishnan Vadivelu, the general manager of Alex Stewart International (M), for sponsoring a dart section last year at the IA building for the use of its members that helped revive the game.
IA Penang is currently constructing its multi-purpose complex and four-storey administrative building. Since its inception in 1924, IA Penang, one of the oldest associations in Malaysia, has provided a platform for Indians from all walks of life to engage in social, cultural, educational, sporting, health and entrepreneurial activities.
Nadarajah noted that IA Penang has lined up various sports, cultural and social events to commemorate its centenary year.
“We also offer entrepreneurship classes,” he said.
Story and pix by K.H. Ong