AFTER twelve rounds of regular-season games and intense playoffs, the inaugural season of the Kaugere Darts Competition heads into its grand finale this Saturday, featuring a highly anticipated showdown between the KBC darts team and the Blackouts.
KBC finished at the top of the ladder with eight wins and three losses, while the Blackouts finished in third place with seven wins and four losses.
In the best-of-nine playoff matches, KBC edged out the Stickers 5-3 in the quarterfinals and later defeated Railway 5-2 in the major semifinal. Meanwhile, the Blackouts defeated Railway 5-4 in the quarterfinals before edging out the KC Slingers 5-4 in their semifinal match.
In the third-place playoff, the KC Slingers and Railway will face off against each other.
The grand finale will truly be a family affair, as both teams feature strong family ties. KBC will be led by sharpshooters Tony Perry alongside siblings David and Junken David.
For the Blackouts, a series of father-son combinations will lead the charge: Abraham Kaia and his son David Kaia Jr., Joe Paimuru and his son Troyden, and Jeffery Paimuru and his son Lucas.
Both teams dominated the regular season and successfully navigated the playoffs to secure their spots in the ultimate decider.
This weekend’s matches will conclude the first edition of the Kaugere Darts Competition, with organizers aiming to expand the tournament in the future.
Competition Manager Mr. Samson Tokiala congratulated both teams on reaching the final milestone.
“On behalf of the officials and management of Kaugere Darts, I would like to congratulate KBC and the Blackouts for becoming the first two teams to battle for the title in the history of this competition,” Mr. Tokiala said.
“Thank you to all the participating teams in this year’s tournament. We hope to see you all in our upcoming events,” he said.
Kaugere Community Sports Coordinator Mr. Sema Ariki highlighted the broader impact of the tournament, noting that it has driven positive social outcomes by promoting gender equality and inclusivity.
“This is the first organized darts competition in Kaugere. We normally host our usual sports like basketball and volleyball. Trying out darts for the first time has united the community and given equal opportunities for women, girls, youth, and the elderly to participate,” Mr. Ariki stated.
He added that the Kaugere Community Sporting Body remains committed to introducing sports that foster inclusivity.
The Kaugere Darts Competition is proudly supported and sponsored by Moresby South MP and Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Justin W. Tkatchenko. Minister Tkatchenko has been a long-time supporter of community-based initiatives across Kaugere and the wider Moresby South electorate, remaining dedicated to serving the local community.