Chronicle Editor
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
STAKEHOLDERS in the darts fraternity have called for more corporate support to ensure the growth and sustenance of the sport.
While the sport has managed to have provincial leagues, some teams have struggled to fulfil games with national team players being forced to fund their travels in representing the national team at various competitions within the region.
Speaking during the 2019 Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Darts Awards (BMPDA) last week, National Darts Association of Zimbabwe president, Meynard Moyo said it was critical for the sport to woo sponsors through creating an enabling environment that would be appreciated by corporates.
He said while darts players are used to playing in bars and pubs it has drawn a negative perception from potential sponsors as the setting is not family friendly.
“It is critical that we look at our environment and ask ourselves whether we would be comfortable inviting potential sponsors to attend matches and if they come will they be pleased with what they see and be convinced to sponsor the sport?
“We need to attract families to come to attend our games so that we widen our spectatorship as companies want huge audiences but with our current environment can we be able to do that?” questioned Moyo.
He said drinking alcoholic beverages by players during games should become a thing of the past if clubs are to entertain any hopes of attracting meaningful sponsorship. Archers Darts Club patron, Omega Sibanda paid tribute to those already supporting the game and made particular mention of Value Gas, who have been funding the 2019 Bulawayo Provincial championships.
“I would like to commend the players and administrators in the sport as they remain resolute and committed in the face of minimal funding. However, there are others like Value Gas that have propelled Archers to the success it has achieved in the past two seasons a testimony to the impact funding can have in a team,” he said.
Value Gas managing director, Maurice Masike said supporting sport was part of their corporate social responsibility programme.
“We have been sponsoring Archers for the past four years. It has been an amazing journey working together as they are a strong and eager team and have been winning trophies all the time. We are a gas, fuel and transport logistics company and have branches all over the country hence part of our social responsibility is to empower the local communities and Archers has been one of the clubs that we have sponsored. We assist them by providing uniform and fuel whenever they have matches. We have also assisted them in registration fees for tournaments and we hope our continued assistance will ensure they better their game knowing they have someone backing them always,” he said.
BMPDA public relations officer, Dean Nkomo said they have had challenges travelling to fulfil fixtures outside the country representing the nation funding from their own pockets.
“We hope Government might come on board for national assignments as lack of funding has hindered us from achieving full potential as we always struggle to travel. We remain committed to the sport and will continue representing the country to the best of our ability,” he said.
Archers founder, Ernest “Maphepha” Sibanda appealed to Government to provide at least $50 000 for national team assignments as national team players continue to represent the country well. He said there is need for more competitions at national level including more cup tournaments as they are critical in sharpening players’ skills.
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