Luke Humphries has backed darts' first visit to Saudi Arabia, insisting the alcohol-free event will still have a "respectful" atmosphere. The World Series of Darts makes its debut in Riyadh on Monday with the Saudi Arabia Masters.
The former world champion is among eight PDC players, including Luke Littler, facing eight Asian Tour representatives in the two-day tournament. It is the first time the sport has been staged in the kingdom, which has a zero-tolerance policy on alcohol.
"It's going to be a very respectful atmosphere, it's going to be good," said Humphries. "I think the key thing to understand is it doesn't take alcohol to have a good night. I don't think that (with) there being no alcohol (means) it's going to be a terrible atmosphere." He added that Saudi fans are "respectful people" who will enjoy watching the sport.
Saudi Arabia has become a regular destination for major sports, including boxing, F1, football and snooker, and Humphries said it was "inevitable" darts would follow. "They just want to see different sports. They want tourism there and want to just experience all these different sports," he added.
Michael van Gerwen, who won the Bahrain Masters, dismissed questions about the country's human rights record. "Every sport in the world is competing there. So why not darts? ... I'm there to earn a living, simple as that," he said.
Players can earn a $100,000 (£74,700) bonus for a nine-darter, with the chance to double it by hitting a 'golden bullseye'.
