'What's happening in Saudi Arabia isn't right' - Vincent van der Voort voices his dissatisfaction over contentious Saudi Arabia event

The PDC have recently released the news that Saudi Arabia will host a World Series of darts event next year, with waves of criticism being aimed their way. This includes former professional Vincent van de Voort who feels that it will not advance the sport.

In recent times Saudi Arabia has had a huge influence on certain sports like snooker and boxing, with darts the next on the list. While many of the top players look eagerly upon the tournament and what financial rewards it could possess, van der Voort has turned his nose up at it, not believing that the game will grow due to this.

"There's a lot of money to be made there, there's no limit to it," Van der Voort said on the Darts Draait Door podcast. "It's a different story in the Van der Voort household. It's great if those darts players start earning more money, but it's only for eight people. The darts game isn't going to get much better just because we're going to play in Saudi Arabia."

With Saudi traditions, alcohol will not be on offer for the fans at the event, a staple of darts culture. It is unclear whether it will affect attendances at the Global Theatre in Riyadh, but it will most certainly produce a different atmosphere from what we are used to.

"You don't go there with your friends to have a party," van der Voort said. "That venue lends itself to snooker, it's ideal for that. But they also want to do something special. So maybe it will be fun, but it won't make darts any bigger. All principles are thrown overboard just to be able to go there."

Human right issues

Much of the criticism echoed is due to the ongoing human right problems which has been highlighted with the emergence of sports which have relocated to the Middle East prior to darts. Van der Voort described the situation as 'horrible', shifting blame onto the PDC rather than the hapless players.

"But that should be the organization's fault, not the players'," he said. "It's the players' job. They have to ensure their families are well off and continue to be well off. What's happening in Saudi Arabia isn't right, of course you have to question it. But if everyone goes there and you don't, it benefits no one else. Then the PDC will choose someone else and it will continue.

"The only impact you can have as a player by avoiding that tournament is that it ultimately doesn't take place. You're not doing anything about the human rights issue. You're getting a leg up with the PDC. If they can screw you back, they will."