The Saudi Masters archery tournament kicks off, and Stephen Banting makes comments
The Saudi Masters Darts Championship kicked off today in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, as part of the Riyadh Season events. A large crowd and an enthusiastic atmosphere reflected the growing passion for the sport in the Kingdom and the region. The championship features some of the world's top-ranked darts players, and the intense competition will continue until tomorrow to determine the champion of this exceptional edition.
Stephen Banting: A perfect start in Riyadh
In an exclusive interview with Okaz newspaper, world-renowned archery star and professional archer Stephen Banting expressed his immense joy at participating for the first time in Saudi Arabia. Following his victory in his opening match, Banting said, "This is a fantastic and very important win, especially as it's my first visit to Riyadh. Getting through the first match was a huge challenge, and I'm delighted to have done so. Now I have a clearer picture of what to expect in terms of the atmosphere and the competition, and I'm eagerly looking forward to the rest of the tournament.".
Banting emphasized that the level of competition in the World Series is exceptional by all standards, adding: "We are talking about having the best players from every continent, and this mix of experience and different schools of play is what makes this tournament so exciting and unpredictable.".
Saudi Arabia is a global destination for elite sports
Hosting this tournament comes amidst the significant transformation of the sports sector in Saudi Arabia, with Riyadh becoming a preferred destination for major international sporting events, from historic boxing matches to tennis and football tournaments, and even archery. This event reflects the Kingdom's commitment to achieving the goals of Vision 2030 related to quality of life and diversifying entertainment and sporting options for citizens, residents, and visitors.
Such tournaments contribute to putting the Kingdom on the world “darts” map, a sport that enjoys immense popularity in Europe and the United Kingdom, and has begun to strongly find its way into the Middle East region.
A Gulf tour and promotion of the game's culture
Speaking about the Gulf tour, Banting added: "As professional players, we love playing on big stages, and it's great to be here in Riyadh to introduce the Saudi public to the sport of archery. The experience is amazing; it's wonderful to visit different countries and diverse cultures. We were in Bahrain a few days ago, and now we are in this wonderful country.".
The global star praised the Saudi audience's enthusiasm, noting that the excitement grows as the tournament progresses and the competition intensifies, giving it a unique atmosphere reminiscent of major European championships. These tours represent a golden opportunity for the sport's expansion in the Arab region, as direct interaction with world champions inspires a new generation of local players.
All eyes will be on the final rounds tomorrow, where the matches are expected to be highly competitive and a tactical and mental battle between the giants of the game to win the Saudi Masters title.
