Informing Today, Inspiring Tomorrow
Gold medal winning team, PNG national men's team that participated at the South Pacific Darts Championship in Fiji last year. Source: NDFPNG
Author: President of the National Dart Federation of PNG, Molean Kilepak
Darts in Papua New Guinea – Milestones and Achivements Since 15th September 2022
Under the new leadership elected on 15th September 2022, the National Darts Federation of Papua New Guinea (NDFPNG) has undergone a structural transformation to move the sport from a social pastime to a professionally governed code recognised on the world stage.
The review and development of by-laws, and the introduction of principles of good governance and accountability, saw changes that many viewed as challenging, but for very good reasons. Corporate governance has now become a key factor in ensuring those who manage darts at the national, provincial, district, and rural levels are also accountable.
While changes will take time for us to realise the full impact of the efforts we have put in, darts looks promising, as highlighted below.
14 year old Sarah Abigail Pepena, Female Youth Player of the Tournament (5th COC) receives the award at the Champions of Champions Tournament that was held in Port Moresby last year. Source: National Dart Federation of PNG.
One of the local competitors at the Champions of Champions Dart Tournament that was held in Port Moresby last year. Source: NCD Dart Association Inc.
The Road to Full WDF Membership
The pivotal moment in this journey was becoming a full member of the World Darts Federation (WDF) and our subsequent participation in the WDF General Meeting held in Slovakia in late 2024 (held alongside the WDF Europe Cup).
- Transition to Full Status: While PNG initially prepared its application in 2023, we submitted our application in 2023 and entered 2024 as an interim member. The WDF 2024 Annual General Meeting in Slovakia formally accepted Papua New Guinea as a full member. Our President, Mr. Molean Kilepak, was able to attend the AGM while on government business in Germany and delivered a verbal presentation before the AGM.
- First Historic Participation: This marked the first time the PNGDF sat at the table for a WDF AGM, giving the country a direct voice in global governance, voting rights on international regulations, and establishing its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Membership to Youth Committee: Mr. Kilepak is also a member of the WDF Youth Committee, headed by the Youth Commissioner, Mr. Dietmar Schuhmann. Meetings are held online.
- Funding Assistance from Land Commission: The trip was funded using funds allocated to the Office of the Land Commission of PNG, where the current President works. This support was provided as a goodwill gesture to assist the National Darts Federation of PNG while visiting Berlin, Germany, on official duty travel.
Left: Dietmar Schumann, World Darts Federation, Youth Commissioner and President of Austrian Darts Federation. Right: Molean Kilepak, President, National Dart Federation of PNG. Source: NDFPNG
PNG national team and Fiji national team at the South Pacific Darts Championship that was held in Fiji last year. Source: NDFPNG.
Constitutional Alignment and WDF Affiliation
The cornerstone of the new management tenure has been the successful application for full membership in the World Darts Federation (WDF) in 2024 and the consequential changes required as a full WDF member.
- Constitutional Amendments: To meet international requirements, the PNGDF Constitution will need to be amended to explicitly recognise the WDF as the global governing body and commit to WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) and PNGSADO compliance.
- Regulatory Compliance: The federation is now mandated to align its technical rules, disciplinary codes, and player eligibility (including recent WDF gender eligibility policies) with international standards. We are currently reviewing our rules and formats to align with WDF requirements. These changes will be applicable to dart associations registered with the NDFPNG.
Integration of the Darts Community (Membership)
Noting the strong interest shown across all levels of society in playing darts, the NDFPNG will now expand its reach by creating tiered membership structures to include a wider range of players.
- Association Affiliation: Annual affiliation fees were increased to K1,000 per association (or K2,000 bi-annually) to ensure financial accountability and elite pathway eligibility. Given the high costs of participation at international levels, there will be an increase in fees for those wishing to participate.
- Greater Community Inclusion: New “non-competitive” membership categories will allow social teams and clubs to participate in the broader community without the pressure of national rankings. We are currently reviewing our membership criteria to enable proper management and coordination of darts nationwide.
- Elite National Dart Competition: We will consider introducing an elite competition for darts in the country.
Elite Player Selection: Participation in nationally sanctioned events is strictly tied to bi-annual registration. Defunct or non-affiliated associations and their players are not eligible for national selection.
- WDF Player Registration Fees: Players wishing to participate in WDF events must be registered with the NDFPNG to enable participation in WDF Open Events.
- Regional and Provincial Darts Tournaments: We are reviewing current national events and formats to enable cost-effective tournaments within provinces and/or regions.
One of the local teams that participated in Champions of Champions Dart Tournament that was held in Port Moresby last year. Source: NCD Dart Association Inc.
One of the local teams that participated in Champions of Champions Dart Tournament that was held in Port Moresby last year. Source: NCD Dart Association Inc.
Major Domestic Tournaments
- Champion of Champions (COC): This is a federation-sanctioned bi-annual event for the Minor Premiers and Premiers of registered associations over the previous two years. The 5th COC National Club Darts Tournament was held in Port Moresby in June 2025, featuring champion clubs from over eight provincial associations. It was hosted by the NCD Darts Association.
- National Darts Titles: This is a federation-sanctioned bi-annual event for registered dart associations. The 17th National Darts Titles was held in September 2024 in Kokopo, East New Britain, maintaining a consistent national calendar. The next National Titles will be held in Port Moresby in 2026 and hosted by the Port Moresby Darts Association.
Youth Development
The federation will launch a “Youth Component” to identify talent, exemplified by 13-year-old prodigy Sarah Pepena, who has gained national and international attention for her performances. Youths will be identified and selected to participate in international youth tournaments.
One of the local teams that participated in Champions of Champions Dart Tournament that was held in Port Moresby last year. Source: NCD Dart Association Inc.
One of the local teams that participated in Champions of Champions Dart Tournament that was held in Port Moresby last year. Source: NCD Dart Association Inc.
Implementation Plan and Calendar Synchronisation
The NDFPNG’s strategic implementation plan focuses on consistent high-level competition starting at the grassroots level, by mirroring the WDF Calendar.
- Sanctioned Events: Major bi-annual tournaments such as the National Darts Titles (September) and the Champion of Champions (CoC) are timed to prepare players for regional meets, including the South Pacific Darts Championship, WDF Asia Pacific Cup, and the WDF World Cup.
- WDF Calendar: The current 2023–2027 calendar reflects the WDF calendar and enables registered dart associations to participate in WDF Open Events.
The main WDF events targeted are the Asia Pacific Cup and the World Cup, which are held bi-annually. The Asia Pacific Cup, held in 2024, will next be held in 2026, while the World Cup of Darts, held in 2025, will be held in 2027. These are the two primary WDF events targeted, subject to funding availability.
- Youth Development: A dedicated youth program has been initiated, including plans for the first National Youth Tournament to identify talent for Under-18 categories required for international WDF events.
- Social and Regional Growth: The federation is actively lobbying for the inclusion of darts in the Pacific Games, aiming to elevate it from a social “club sport” to a core national sport receiving government funding.
- Need for a Dart Haus: The federation is exploring options to develop a Dart Haus to host international tournaments as a revenue-generating initiative. This facility would also house the NDFPNG office.
Major Achievements and Current Standing
- Asia-Pacific Cup Recognition: Following WDF affiliation, the WDF Asia Cup was renamed the WDF Asia Pacific Cup, with the first event held in Taipei in November 2024. Although players were selected, participation was not possible due to short lead times and sponsorship constraints.
- Leadership Appointments: President Mr. Molean Kilepak was elected Vice President of the South Pacific Darts Championship body in 2025. He is also responsible for supporting Pacific Island countries seeking WDF membership.
- Gold Medal Success: The PNG Men’s team was crowned South Pacific Champions in January 2025 in Fiji. PNG was also the inaugural winner for both men and women in 2018 in Port Vila, Vanuatu, going undefeated throughout the tournament.
- Global Qualification: PNG successfully selected full contingents (Men, Women, and Youth) for the 2025 WDF World Cup in Seoul, South Korea, but funding constraints prevented participation.
- Future Hosting: PNGDF will formally bid to host the 6th South Pacific Darts Championship in Port Moresby in 2029, after missing out on hosting the 5th SPDC, which will be held in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, in January 2027.
- Policy and Strategic Planning: The National Darts Development Policy and Strategic Implementation Plan 2023–2027 have been developed for the first time, aligned with the National Sports Policy 2020–2050.
- Profile: A comprehensive organisational profile has been developed, containing historical information and recent achievements.
- Website and Social Media: The website remains under development with assistance from the Sports Foundation. Financial constraints initially limited completion, but progress is expected with continued support. A Facebook page is actively used to disseminate darts-related information.
Current Challenges and Future Outlook
The National Darts Development Policy and Strategic Plan focus on international recognition, talent development, and long-term sustainability. Key challenges and aspirations include:
- Financial Constraints: Despite qualifying for the 2025 WDF World Cup in Seoul, participation was cancelled due to funding limitations. The next opportunity is in 2027.
- Olympic Push: The PNGDF is lobbying national Olympic committees to include darts as a competitive sport in the next Pacific Games, with six countries currently showing support.
- Global Affiliation: Full WDF membership has been achieved, enabling players to earn global ranking points and compete internationally.
- Youth Development: Dedicated youth programs and tournaments are being planned to identify and nurture young talent.
- Financial Sustainability: The federation is pursuing long-term corporate sponsorships and government support. Affiliation fees have been increased to K1,000 annually to assist fundraising efforts.
- Pacific Games Inclusion: Continued advocacy is underway to secure darts’ inclusion in the Pacific Games.
- Darts Haus: Securing land and developing a dedicated darts facility would support international hosting ambitions and long-term human development goals.
Note: Pictures without a caption were sourced from NDFPNG and NCD Dart Association Inc.