Uganda's Ochieng' wins PDC festivals in Nakuru

Patrick Ochieng' of Uganda takes a sharp aim during the Professional Darts Corporation Nakuru darts Festivals at Jacaranda Sports Grill on December 1,2024.[Ben Ahenda,Standard]

Sharpshooter Patrick Ochieng’ of Uganda is the newly crowned champion of the inaugural Professional Darts Corporation Nakuru Darts Festivals.

Ochieng’ defeated compatriot Juma Saidi 9-3 in the singles finals to walk home with different cash prizes in a mouthwatering match televised globally through Facebook and YouTube at the weekend.

“It hasn’t been easy in this tournament owing to high standards here compared to my home country. However, I’m happy to have emerged the winner and I’ll come back next year to defend my title,” Ochieng’ told Standard Sports in a post-match interview.

While teaming up with Makokech in the men’s doubles, Ochieng’ bowed out in the semi-finals.

In the ladies’ singles, Regina Nyagah of Mount Kenya edged Mary Njenga of Pink Flamingos 7-2 in the one sided match.

The tournament attracted top players from Kenya and Uganda and its coordinator Simon Muhia said they are doing all in their means to ensure the next edition should have participants from Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Rwanda.

“Ours is to build the capacity of this competition to attract corporate sponsorship and top players from East Africa and the Great Lakes Region,” said Muhia.

Meanwhile, history-making Frenchman Thibault Tricole, the only darts player from his country to play at the PDC World Championship, has his eyes set on a possible dream second-round tie against reigning champion Luke Humphries when the 2025 edition gets under way later this month.

The sport has not taken off in France in the same way it has in much of Europe.

The world championship attracts millions of TV viewers in the UK, the Netherlands and Germany every year and the emergence of teenage star Luke Littler has won over many new fans, but it is rarely even shown on French television.

However, Tricole -- only the second ever Frenchman to win a PDC tour card -- broke new ground by qualifying for darts’ blue-riband event last year when he lost 3-0 to 2018 champion Rob Cross in the second round.

The 35-year-old will be a strong favourite when he takes on Australian qualifier Joe Comito.