Mardle discusses WDF ahead of inaugural Lakeside World Championship: "They have got a massive role in the world of darts"

The WDF World Championship is due to take place at Lakeside next month with the inaugural tournament at the historic venue after the demise of the BDO.

Wayne Mardle chatted to the Weekly Dartscast and spoke about the WDF and the potential as well for one of either Lakeside or World Seniors to take a spot in the Grand Slam of Darts in future.

"I believe the WDF can offer to those that can step into the PDC world. Like the BDO used to. The WDF have more or less taken over the BDO role. I can't see how the Seniors can offer anything towards the future of darts, it's the past of darts. I don't agree with putting anyone in from that, even if it was Phil Taylor no. I don't think that's the right way forward whereas the quality that can be seen in the WDF which is up and coming.

"That's the important thing here, there's a lot of young players that are going to strut their stuff when it comes to the WDF World Championship. If a youngster was going to win it, then why not and why not put in the World Youth Champion, it may be Leighton Bennett who knows. The WDF have got a massive role in the world of darts."

Tickets too expensive

For Mardle though, he believes that a sticking point for the inaugural event may be the ticket pricing.

"A lot of big decisions that may not seem like big decisions at the time could come back and bite them. That's the price of the tickets for the World Championship. It's only one event but it will be their showcase. Let's hope it sells out and let's hope it's well received."

But that he hopes that the competitive nature shown in the qualifier continues and that the WDF thrive.

"It's brutally competitive. The likes of Wes Newton and Terry Jenkins went to the qualifier and failed so don't tell me that it's easy. I really want them to get off to a really good start."

"I want to see in two years time that they're thriving and that the world of darts has got a feeder system to the PDC on top of what they've already got."

Click here to buy your tickets for the return to Lakeside which will also be shown live on Eurosport and Discovery Plus.