Darts body moves to ban alcohol

Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO Metropolitan Province Darts Association league players have been urged to shun alcohol and drug abuse so as to be compliant with the World Anti Doping Agency (Wada).
The call was made by the National Darts Association of Zimbabwe (Ndaz) president Meynard Moyo in a speech read on his behalf by his vice, Mtonzima Dlamini during the association’s end of year awards ceremony held at Archers Sports Club on Wednesday night.

“We need to comply with Wada as an association but the problem will be that a majority of us here will not pass the test because of alcohol abuse. A majority cannot play without taking a sip so I urge you to avoid that,” said Moyo.

The Ndaz president has always been steadfast in pushing for the total eradication of beer during matches and has successfully banned smoking during games and this has seen an increase in youngsters and female players in the game.

The sport has largely been seen as a boozers’ game but the Bulawayo league is slowly but surely transforming into a more competitive and professional league with discipline among players and teams impressive.

On the night veteran player Moses Ndlovu once again proved his prowess when he won the Most 180s award after hitting 25.
The most improved player was Archers’ Albert Tawanda who had a massive 98 match plays (140s) followed by Moses Ndlovu who got 81 and Railstars’ Patrick Zimidzi who hit 74 match plays.

Ndlovu also got his 50th badge, a milestone achievement while Tawanda, a promising future national team player, got his 10th and 20th badges, same as Ndabezinhle Ngwenya and Railstars.

Despite all these impressive shows, Bulawayo province has always struggled at national tournaments like the Easter and Heroes Holiday tournaments, a scenario that worries the Ndaz president.

“I honestly don’t get it why Bulawayo has failed to win a national tournament on so many occasions. You have enough arsenal to do well, you just need to find out where you are missing it,” said Moyo.

The night also saw Archers being given their winners’ medals and shield after ending the season without defeat, a first in the history of the league.

Meanwhile, Archers Darts Club will host an Open doubles tournament tomorrow that is being bankrolled by Strait beverages.