Mike De Decker has moved to clarify remarks that sparked confusion over his commitment to representing Belgium at the World Cup of Darts. The Belgian darter was confronted with an earlier quote in which he stated he would no longer play for his country, but he insists those words were mainly a joke and were taken out of context.
The comment dates back to last year, around the World Grand Prix, when De Decker said, “I’m not playing for my country anymore.” The remark drew plenty of reactions, and De Decker now looks back with a smile, stressing there was no deeper meaning. “I play to earn my own living,” he explained, making clear his career is primarily about his own performances and interests as a professional darter.
Despite receiving many messages in response to his words, De Decker emphasized the remark was not intended as an attack on the Belgian team or the concept of the World Cup of Darts. He said no wrong conclusions should be drawn, and it does not mean he lacks pride in representing Belgium. “It was mainly a light-hearted way to respond to the question,” he added.
The Belgian also referenced the chauvinistic edge that can arise around international sporting events, noting the World Cup of Darts is one of the few times on the PDC calendar when players compete for their country rather than individually. For many, it’s a special occasion filled with national pride, but De Decker wanted to indicate that as a professional, he ultimately plays for himself. “I play to earn my own living” was the core of his message, with results determining his ranking, prize money, and career.
De Decker, who teamed up with Dimitri Van den Bergh at this year’s World Cup of Darts, said the confusion arose because the quote was repeated without its original context. He has often shown he is not afraid to speak plainly, and in this case, his short, striking response took on a life of its own. Belgian darts fans can rest easy: De Decker will once again line up for Belgium at the World Cup of Darts next year.
