31 Jan 2024

The Botswana Darts Association (BODA) has embarked on a journey to resuscitate the sporting code.

In an interview after kick-starting the year with a Darts Exhibition, at Game City Mall recently, events coordinator, Letlhogela Mosepele said it had become apparent that the code had become dormant hence the decision to revive it, by taking the sport back to the people.

He said the aim was to use this year to build on their membership by attracting new and old followers as well as improving on performance hence the weekend event that featured participation of people with disabilities (hearing and speech impaired), legends and teams from all the 17 clubs registered under the association to display the game of darts publicly.

However, Mosepele said the exhibition only attracted a handful of players.

“Our intention through such events is to resuscitate that which used to be the oldest known sporting codes,” he said.

He said the Gaborone, Game City Darts Exhibition would during the course of the year be followed by another similar showcasing billed for the northern part of the country in Francistown.

“We want people to know that the sport still exists. As such we need support from the general public. Amassing following will be an important development, he said and expressed hope for growth since the association is inclusive of persons with disabilities.

In that regard, Mosepele said darts was a family sport, adding that the current crop of players were aged between 10 and 73 years. “Everyone can play darts, that is why we are even engaging those with disabilities. It is a family sport, everyone can play,” he said.

Currently, he said the Botswana Darts senior national team and the under-18 were the regional champions of SADC and the two national teams would be defending their championship in Swaziland during the year.

“I am the Senior Master Champion in the SADC region; I will also be defending my title. The under 18 (Junior) regional champion is also from Botswana,” he said.

Mosepele acknowledged that the game of darts was stalled by financial constraints, adding that the P34 000 annual funding from Botswana National Sports Council was not sufficient.

To augment funding, he said they have engaged companies for sponsorship or partnerships.

As part of the planned activities, Mosepele said effective April, BODA would be introducing darts to schools. He said they had covered six schools, where teachers were introduced to the game.

Despite making such efforts, Mosepele emphasised that the shortage of equipment remained a challenge. ENDS