Guyana produced a commendable showing at the recent Americas Cup and Caribbean championships staged in Trinidad and Tobago, finishing fourth among 10 teams.
The 14-member team scored 92 points, ending behind the hosts, who accumulated 124 points to take the title; Barbados (100 points) and United States of America (98 points) were in second and third respectively.
The joy came when the duo of Sudesh Fitzgerald and Shondell Hyles won the Mixed Doubles title, while teammates Norman Madhoo and Melisa Smartt took second. Hyles and Smartt took second in the Female Doubles, likewise did Fitzgerald and Luis Merlano in the Male category.
Fitzgerald, who along with Madhoo made it to the semi-finals of the Men’s Single, had the most 180’s and the highest checkouts, which allowed him to retain the Caribbean’s Most Valuable Player title. He also equalled the shortest game of 12 darts finish alongside Roger Edwards of Barbados.
Speaking to News Room Sport, the marquee player said he is proud of his team’s accomplishments given the constraints they were place under regarding funding.
He thanked Bounty Farms Limited, Raf’s Variety, National Sports Commission, John Fernandes Limited and Dr. Terence Joseph for their support in making the trip possible.
Next on the agenda for the Guyana Darts Association is an attempt to host Trinidad and Tobago from August 31- September 2 for a post-Independence tournament, but according to Fitzgerald, funding will be the issue since they are in need of USD$3,000.
On the individual side, there is the Professional Darts Corporation World Championship qualifiers slated for September 14-16 in Palmas, Brazil, an event which Fitzgerald and Madhoo have signalled their intention to attend.
