Darts is so much more than a pub game

DARTS is often perceived as a pub sport, but a group of Phoenix players is committed to changing that.

The Phoenix and Districts Darts Association (PDDA) has been around for 23 years and is about to kick off another season.

Club president, Luck Laljeeth, said the players were “raring to go”. But before the league starts, players will fight it out for coveted spots in the club representative team.

“Our season starts with a strong super-singles tournament, where the top eight players make the district representative team that will play in the KZN Darts Federation InterDistrict Championships and the Darts South Africa (DSA) national championship in July,” he said.

The PDDA is affiliated to the KZN Darts Federation, DSA and The World Darts Federation (WDF).

Laljeeth said: “PDDA is one of 10 districts in KZN. Its boundary is north of the uMngeni River and south of the uMdloti. We have a number of experienced campaigners, with our oldest player, Louis Andrews, over 70.”

League play is at the OMG Pub in Mount Edgecombe on Wednesday nights.

“Our league is structured like any other sporting code,” said Laljeeth. “We have league, trebles, doubles and a lot of singles competitions.”

While the main league is geared towards giving seasoned players a competitive platform, Laljeeth says newcomers are also catered for.

“The mixed competitions give less talented players a chance to team up with top darts players, presenting an opportunity to win awards.”

Laljeeth said the association enforced strict rules in the competitions. “There will always be misconceptions of the sport because most of the organisations are housed in pubs. But structured darts has rigid rules – a dress code, and rules against alcohol or smoking in the arena.

“It is important for us to develop the game. The youth play in the same structures as adults.”

He said that for darts to make more rapid progress in South Africa, it had to become professional.

“In the UK, darts is played professionally, while we are still amateurs. Unfortunately the sport is not growing as quickly as eight-ball pool, a sport that has been attracting youngsters since 2002.

“Sponsorship is our biggest challenge. In spite of this, DSA and the provincial darts bodies are looking at ways to promote the sport.”