Players from Nagaland National Mega Darts Event organised held at the Tollygunge Club, Kolkata, from October 3 to 5, 2025. (Image Courtesy: NDA)
Dimapur, October 9 (MExN): Nagaland’s Limatoshi was crowned champion at the first Indian Darts League (IDL) held at the Tollygunge Club, Kolkata, from October 3 to 5.
It was part of the National Mega Darts Event organised under the aegis of the Indian Darts Council (IDC) and featured three major competitions — the World Darts Championship 2025–26 India Qualifier, the Youth National Championship, and the inaugural IDL.
A contingent of 11 dart players from Nagaland participated in the event.
A press release from the Nagaland Darts Association (NDA) informed that in the inaugural IDL 2025, Limatoshi, representing the Biscotti Barrels (Kolkata), won the championship title after clinching the final match. He earned the team the IDL 2025 Champion Trophy and a total prize of Rs 4 lakh.
Besides, Simon Kelio and Kezhaletuo Semou (TBC Darters, Kolkata) and Kikruneizo Zatsu (Planet Darters) collectively secured joint 3rd place, each winning Rs 50,000.
The inaugural league featured 16 franchise teams, a player auction, and a total prize pool exceeding ₹8 lakh, the release added.
Meanwhile, in the World Darts Championship 2025–26 India Qualifier, Limatoshi secured a joint 5th position, while Vikeheilie Suohu finished joint 9th, and Kezhaletuo Semou and Kikruneizo Zatsu shared the 17th position.
As per the release, a notable highlight of the qualifier was Limatoshi’s 4–1 win over India No.1 Nitin Kumar in the second qualifying round. However, Kumar went on to win the final qualifier, earning a place at the World Darts Championship 2025, slated to be held in London, the United Kingdom, later this year.
NDA engages national and international bodies
Meanwhile, during the event, NDA held discussions with several national and international darts bodies. On October 5, NDA officials met the Indian Darts Council (IDC), led by its President, Devesh Srivastava, to deliberate on initiatives for promoting grassroots participation, youth development, and policy-level support for the sport in Nagaland, the release said.
The NDA also met with Steve Brown, Founder and Chairman of the Junior Darts Corporation (JDC), UK, and Darren Barson, CEO of JDC, to explore the possibility of establishing darts academies for players under 18. The association anticipates rolling out selected JDC programmes in Nagaland under IDC’s guidance, it maintained.
There were also discussions with Joshua, Asia-Pacific Ambassador of DartsConnect (official scorekeeper for the Professional Darts Corporation), and Nancy, President of the Malaysia Darts Association, focusing on collaboration, technical support, and tournament participation to strengthen the sport in the region.
