Kiwi darts ace Tahuna Irwin has been forced to withdraw from the upcoming 2018 Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Youth Championship in Wigan over an immigration issue.
Irwin arrived in the UK on Friday (NZ time) and was detained by British Homeland officers at Manchester airport, due to immigration complications.
The 21-year-old was then sent back to New Zealand, meaning he won't be able to compete in the tournament, which has the early rounds on November 5 and final on November 25.
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The PDC confirmed to Newshub it tried to assist in the process, but a decision had already been made.
"We attempted to assist Tahuna, upon learning of the difficulties he had getting into the UK, but unfortunately the decision to send him back to New Zealand had already been made by the time we were made aware of the situation," it said.
"We spoke to him and his mother, and a senior member of staff attended the Immigration Centre at Manchester Airport, but there was little we could do.
"We will now work with DartPlayers New Zealand (DPNZ) to attempt to have his immigration status resolved, so he can compete in the forthcoming World Darts Championship."
A player from the Development Tour Order of Merit will replace Irwin in the 96-man field for the world championship.
The World Youth Championship sees the best under-23 players in the world compete for a spot at the 2019 World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, along with the £10,000 ($NZ19,573) first prize and a spot in the 2019 Grand Slam of Darts.
Irwin has already secured his ticket to the World Darts Championship in December, having won the DPNZ qualifier earlier in the year.
Newshub.
