SOME of the best darts players in the world have been confirmed for this weekend's 26th Isle of Man International Darts Festival.
Among the competitors are five players who between them have held 22 world titles.
Leading the challenge is England skipper Martin Adams who clinched his third world title in January at the Lakeside World Championships when women's singles favourite Trina Gulliver annexed her ninth world crown.
Double champ Ted Hankey, 2001 world title winner John 'Boy' Walton and Russian Anastasia Dobromyslova (the first East European to win the world championship) are all in action.
Apart from Gulliver, the Manx title has proved to be one major title to have eluded them all.
The three day event, which starts on Friday (March 11), offers valuable rankings points which can provide the gateway to a coveted place in January's world championship and helps to confirm the Manx event as one of the most popular tournaments on the calendar.
Tournament Director Les France of LF promotions said: "Everything is building to this year's event being one of the best.
"Last year we celebrated our 25th championship which helped to confirm the Manx tournament not only as one of the most popular but also one of the longest running events on the darts calendar.
"When you have world champions like Martin Adams, Ted Hankey and John Walton, who have never won the Manx title, it shows the high standards of the Island competition.
"All will be out to make amends this year and that simply increases the prospect of some top class darts."
Joining the world champions on the oche will be leading internationals - including the defending women's title owner Julie Gore, who is chasing a record fifth successive Manx title – plus leading county players.
Players from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland will be boosted by players flying in from Jersey and Holland, plus a 12-strong contingent from Switzerland.
More than 500 players are expected to line up for the men's singles, chasing the £5,000 top prize, while an impressive £3,000 is being offered to the winner of the women's singles, which should ensure a bumper turnout.
There is a £75 bonus payment on offer to the best performing Island resident in the singles competition.
Economic Development Minister Allan Bell MHK said: "It's a great honour for the Isle of Man to host this prestigious event and indeed to meet some of the top players in the world.
"We are looking forward to an action-packed weekend of darts and hope both competitors and visitors have an enjoyable festival."
Supporting the singles events are men's and ladies' pairs and mixed doubles competitions, plus the Okells 'early bird' men's and ladies singles competitions on Thursday night (March 10).
And even the stars of tomorrow are catered for.
There will be an opportunity for teenagers to contest the Winmau World Masters Youth playoffs.
There is £100 on offer to the winner but more importantly is the chance to line up in the World Masters grand finals in the North East of England in the autumn.
Anyone entering must be under 18 on January 1st 2012.
The festival - which is completely free for spectators to attend - is promoted by LF Promotions in collaboration with the Isle of Man Tourism, Winmau, Okells Brewery, Isle of Man Event Services, the Isle of Man Steam Packet and Sleepwell Hotels.
Also see: Isle of Man International Darts Championship will again attract world's top players
