adminSikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
VALUE Gas sponsored Archers Darts Club have gone a gear up in preparations for the 2017 National Darts Association of Zimbabwe (Ndaz) Champion of Champions clash set for Munyati Power Station in Kwekwe on January 28.
Despite the setback of losing one of their stars and national team player Albert Tawanda to arch rivals Highlanders, Archers are confident of bringing the trophy and prize money to Bulawayo.
“We have gone a gear up as the dates for the tournament draw close. We had a training match against Railstars on Wednesday and the guys, although still shrugging off the holiday rust, looked sharp and I am sure they will be well-oiled for the tournament,” said non-playing captain Ernest “Maphepha” Sibanda.
He said the loss of Tawanda was a temporary setback.
“He was one of our star players, no doubt about that, but life has to go on. We are doing fine in our preparations and want to better last year’s performance where we lost to Mashonaland West, who had David Nyemba in their ranks.”
Nyemba’s 25-year undefeated streak in the game was ended late last year at the Sizinda South Beer Garden darts tournament, although the event was not part of the Ndaz calendar.
The Champion of Champions pits the country’s 10 provincial champions and runners-up. Archers were the 2016 Bulawayo Metropolitan Darts Association champions after finishing the season with a 100 percent record followed by Railstars.
An official send-off for Archers has been organised by their sponsors Value Gas, a national LP gas retailing company that also has interests in petroleum distribution in the southern region of the country and in Manicaland province.
Teams will be in four groups of five and the 12 teams to be knocked out will each get $200.
The top two teams from each group will proceed to the quarter-finals, with the losers receiving $250 each, while semi-final losers will get $300. Losing finalists will receive $400 and medals.
— @skhumoyo2000
Online Reporter