Online Reporter
Zimpapers Politics Hub
Mazowe Central Member of Parliament, Dr Maxmore Njanji, has said that darts can serve as a potent recreational tool to curb drug and substance abuse among Zimbabwean youth, particularly in rural communities.
Speaking on Saturday during a national darts tournament held in Glendale in Mashonaland Central province, the legislator urged young people to embrace the sport as a positive alternative to illicit drugs.
“This sport is not merely a pastime. It is a powerful weapon in the fight against drug and substance abuse,” Dr Njanji said. “We are losing a generation to drugs. Darts instils discipline, patience, and mental focus — qualities that are incompatible with addiction.”
The tournament, organised by the National Darts Association of Zimbabwe (NDAZ), drew competitors from across the country. Dr Njanji commended the growing number of female players, calling their participation a milestone for the sport.
“I am deeply pleased to see a considerable number of women competing in darts. For too long, this sport was seen as a man’s game. That myth is now dead. To the women: you are role models. Please continue to grow this sport,” he said.
The MP also praised the decision to host a national-level competition in Glendale, a town often overlooked for major sporting events. He linked the development directly to the Second Republic’s flagship policy of equitable development under the mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
“This is truly encouraging. Holding a national tournament in a place like Glendale proves that we are serious about leaving no one and no place behind as directed by our President. Sport must not be an urban privilege.”
NDAZ president, Mr Rodwell Chidanhamabwe, who was recently elected to lead the association, said his executive committee is prioritising grassroots expansion into rural areas.
“My executive wants darts to grow across the length and breadth of this country, with a sharp focus on rural areas like Glendale,” Mr Chidanhamabwe said. “We will not wait for cities to show the way. We are taking darts to every district, every ward, every village. That is our promise.”
