Kolkata/IBNS: West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh dominated the men’s and women’s singles matches on the first day of the 25th National Dart Championship at Dakshin Kolikata Sangsad.

Reigning champions Deep Shaw (West Bengal) and Mahima Gautam (Uttar Pradesh) won their first league matches in their respective groups here on Friday.

While Deep Shaw defeated Sachin Aman of Uttar Pradesh 2-0 in the men’s section, Mahima Gautam beat Romita Bose from West Bengal by a similar margin.

Earlier at a media briefing, Debasish Kumar, President of the West Bengal Dart Association (WBDA), which is organising the championship in association with the city-based Dakshin Kolikata Sangsad (DKS), informed that the championship offers a total prize money of Rs. 2.5 lakhs.

He added that this championship holds special importance, as the results will help determine the Indian team for the forthcoming 24th Dart World Cup to be held in Seoul, South Korea, in September.

Secretary of the All India Dart Association, Prashanta Saha, confirmed that around 160 participants, including top-ranking players from fifteen states across the country, are participating in this championship.

Events at the meet include men’s and ladies’ singles, as well as doubles events for men, ladies, and mixed pairs, he said.

He further added that India will also participate in the 1st Commonwealth Dart Championship being organised by England, Wales, and Scotland next year.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary of DKS, Hiranmoy Chatterjee, emphasised that DKS has partnered with WBDA to organise this event to encourage the younger generation to participate more actively at national and international dart championships.

All finals of the championships will be held on Sunday, July 20.

Results of the league matches held on Friday are: In the Ladies’ Singles, Jacqueline Khanna of West Bengal defeated Sudipa Varma, also from West Bengal, 2-0.

Mahima Gautam of Uttar Pradesh beat Romita Bose of West Bengal 2-0, while Neha Gautam, also from Uttar Pradesh, won against Delhi’s Anshika Srivastava by the same margin.

Aarti Kumari from Haryana edged past Muskan Kumari Kushwaha of West Bengal in a close match, winning 2-1.

In the Men’s Singles, Akash Gautam of Uttar Pradesh overcame Aryan Sahu, also from Uttar Pradesh, 2-1. Tamim Rahaman of West Bengal secured a 2-1 victory over Jaiveer Singh of Haryana.

Dev Kumar, representing West Bengal, beat Akshay Trivedi of Uttar Pradesh 2-1. Reigning champion Deep Shaw from West Bengal convincingly defeated Aman Sachan of Uttar Pradesh 2-0.