Naga players shine at Indian Darts League

Nagaland’s presence in the national darts arena reached new heights as a contingent of 11 players from the state displayed remarkable skill and composure at the National Mega Darts Event, held at the Tollygunge Club, Kolkata, from October 3 to 5.
Organized under the aegis of the Indian Darts Council (IDC), the event featured three major competitions — the World Darts Championship 2025–26 India Qualifier, the Youth National Championship, and the debut edition of the Indian Darts League (IDL) — marking a significant milestone in the growth of professional darts in India.
The highlight of the tournament came when Limatoshi of Nagaland, representing the Biscotti Barrels (Kolkata), emerged as the champion of the inaugural Indian Darts League 2025. In a gripping final, he sealed the victory with a decisive checkout dart, earning his team the IDL Champion Trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 4,00,000.
Other Naga players also made their mark in the league. Simon Kelio and Kezhaletuo Semou, playing for TBC Darters (Kolkata), and Kikruneizo Zatsu of Planet Darters finished in joint third position, taking home Rs. 50,000 each. The debut edition of the IDL featured 16 franchise teams, a player auction, and a total prize pool exceeding Rs. 8 lakhs, introducing a professional franchise system to Indian darts for the first time.
In the World Darts Championship 2025–26 India Qualifier, Naga players put up a spirited performance, with Limatoshi finishing joint fifth, followed by Vikehielie Suohu in joint ninth, and Kezhaletuo Semou and Kikruneizo Zatsu in joint seventeenth positions.
One of the standout moments of the event came when Limatoshi stunned the crowd by defeating India’s top-ranked player, Nitin Kumar, with a commanding 4–1 victory in the second qualifying round. The upset opened the race for India’s sole ticket to the upcoming World Darts Championship 2025 at Ally Pally, London. Nitin Kumar, however, made a comeback in the final qualifier, securing the London berth along with Rs. 30,000 in prize money and a guaranteed £15,000 (approximately Rs.18 lakhs).
On the concluding day of the event, officials from the Nagaland Darts Association (NDA) held a series of strategic meetings aimed at promoting the growth and professionalization of darts in the state. The NDA delegation met with the Indian Darts Council (IDC), led by its president Devesh Srivastava, who has been credited with revitalizing the sport in India by building new competitive platforms and creating international linkages.
Discussions between NDA and IDC focused on strengthening grassroots participation, supporting emerging players, and establishing structured development frameworks for darts in Nagaland. Both organizations affirmed a shared commitment to youth development and policy-level support to nurture talent from the grassroots.
The NDA also engaged in discussions with Steve Brown, founder and chairman of the Junior Darts Corporation (JDC), UK, and Darren Barson, CEO of JDC, regarding the introduction of youth training programmes in Nagaland. Plans were explored to establish JDC academies for players under 18, in coordination with IDC, to provide structured training and international exposure for young talents.
Furthering its network, the NDA held talks with Joshua, Asia-Pacific Ambassador of DartsConnect—the official scorekeeper for the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC)—and Nancy, President of the Malaysia Darts Association. The discussions centered on potential collaborations in areas such as technical support, tournament participation, and knowledge exchange to raise the standard of darts in the region.
The NDA maintained that the achievements of Naga players at the Kolkata event, coupled with the association’s expanding partnerships with national and international bodies, mark a significant step forward for darts in the state. With Limatoshi’s historic victory at the Indian Darts League and the momentum building around youth engagement, the association reiterated its commitment to making Nagaland a leading hub for darts in India.