Olly Croft, Honorary General Secretary, B.D.O. (British Darts Organisation)

We are pleased to welcome here today the World Darts fraternity, and we wish you all a very happy and successful weekend.

The whole concept of this championship has proved to be a very exciting and highly successful Darts promotion, and can only serve to enhance this skilful sport.

This Championship is more than a stepping stone towards the recognition of the game, it is a milestone. With sixteen countries participating in these finals, this is the first truly representative championship in the far-flung world of darts. So the Unicorn Weekend must go on record as an historic occasion.

Over the past years many lasting friendships have been made. We feel sure that this weekend will cement these relationships and many new friendships will be made.

It is a great honour for the BRITISH DARTS ORGANISATION to be involved in an organising capacity and we would like to thank the Directors of UNICORN Products Limited, for their confidence in us.

Norman Byram, Chairman, B.D.O. (British Darts Organisation)

As Chairman of the British Darts Organisation, I should like to extend a sincere welcome to all our visitors who have travelled from far and wide to be with us this weekend.

This event is unprecedented in the history of darts, a sport which has grown dramatically as far as popularity is concerned. Indeed, as this competition has shown, darts can, and does, provide ordinary people throughout the world with a common interest.

This weekend, darts players from all corners of the world are here, and this is thanks to Unicorn, the sponsors.

The British Darts Organisation is proud to be connected with this tournament along with Unicorn, the leading darts manufacturers throughout the world.

Competition has understandably been keen - no wonder, looking at the tremendous prizes Unicorn have made available.

They have put everything into this event and their confidence in its success has been well justified.

I should also like to record my appreciation to the British Darts Organisation councillors and in particulars the sterling work of General Secretary Olly Croft.

Finally, I wish all of you a wonderful weekend and to all competitors, may your aim be true and your flight be right. May the best team win.