Matthew Porter seems to have developed something of a knack recently. Both of his most recent in person interviews involved delivering unpopular decisions or tackling controversial issues and both were done in such a way as to imply that there was really no debate to be had.
The Matchroom Multi Sport chairman even went as far as suggesting that those opposed to trans players in the Women’s Series and World Matchplay, dislike the format of the Premier League or more opportunity, especially for youth players and women, across codes were narrow minded or keyboard warriors.
Never mind the fact that the best female player currently playing will be forced to choose whether to defend her Women’s world title or accept the places she has earned in PDC men’s event where she is less likely to progress or add to her roll of titles. A similar situation will surround Luke Littler who has already qualified for the next ‘Lakeside’.
As with the debate surrounding male bodies being permitted in women’s sport, the habit of some is to belittle the views of those opposed and to try to close out debate or marginalised certain beliefs.
However, such views are mainstream, quite possibly the majority, and the momentum is with the re-establishment of an exclusive women’s category and trans participants competing in a specialist or ‘open’ category. Cycling, swimming, athletics and others have already moved clearly and decisively in this direction. Are these sports, participants, their fans and governing bodies narrow minded?
The idea that more than one world champion is necessarily bad for the game does not stack up at all. For more than 30 years our game has had at least two claimants for that crown. It created rivalries, news stories, TV documentaries and motivation. You only have to look at the sport PDC Chairman Eddie Hearn thrives in to see that multiple codes , formats and champions are really nothing unusual.
As CEO of the PDC perhaps we might prevail upon Mr Porter for a modicum of respect for perfectly reasonable and honestly held views.
Your thoughts: @Darts_World
—–ENDS—–
From: Darts World Extra 12