56th edition of the National Darts Competitions
During the first week of October, the 56th edition of the Malta Darts Association – National League competitions get underway in what is expected to be another exciting season for all participating clubs. In the last couple of seasons the sport has made huge inroads on the island so much so that this year we will see nine new clubs participating in the national competitions, one of which will be composed of only female players.
Division One Participating Teams
Kalkara St Joseph, Floriana Ajax A, Mosta Horseshoe Bar A, Birzebbuga Cox Sports Club A, Zejtun Beland Bullseye, Gudja POs Bar A, Hamrun Education Bar A, Senglea M. Conquest A.
Battling it out for the top honour next season, looks to be a two- horse race with current champions Kalkara St Joseph and runners-up Floriana Ajax A on level par. Mosta Horseshoe Bar A and Birzebbuga Cox Sports Club A likely to finish in third and fourth spots again, but like any other sport a few upsets are on the cards with the remaining four teams’ main goal being to maintain Division one status for another season.
Division Two Participating Teams
Floriana Ajax B, Cospicua Rangers, Gudja POs Bar B, Birzebbuga Cox Sports Club B, Mosta Horseshoe Bar B, Hamrun Education Bar B, Bugibba Sun City A, St Venera Red Square.
The front runners in this division are expected to be Mosta Horseshoe Bar B, Floriana Ajax B and St Venera Red Square with all three teams recruiting new players during the off-season. The remaining five teams are expected to be battling out for fourth spot which would ensure a place in the championship division for the latter part of the season.
Division Three Participating Teams
Mqabba St Mary BC, St Paul’s Diamonds, Mgarr The Hatch Sports Pub, Bugibba Sun City Ladies, Floriana Ajax C, Floriana Bocci Club, Hamrun Bayern Munich, Senglea M. Conquest B, Siggiewi St Nicholas BC, Sliema Tipico Club Lounge, St Paul’s Band Club, Zurrieq FC.
With nine of the 12 teams represented in this division making their debut, anything can happen, especially because up to now the full list of registered players per team is still unknown. The association is eagerly anticipating this division because for the second time in history a team is composed only of female players and three new towns in Malta will be represented – Siggiewi, Sliema and Zurrieq.