Is Darts a Sport?

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Thursday, March 26, 2009, 11:09 | Sport | 0 Comments |

It’s the archetypal pub game, played and watched by millions of enthusiasts across the country, yet darts is the recipient of more derision than the England cricket team on a bad day. Soar Magazine sent Andy Osborne to find out why Leicestershire is about to get darts fever…

Let us consider what makes a sport a sport. Some of you may simply concur with the dictionary definition which states that it is ‘a competitive activity which involves physical effort and skill.’ Fine, but where does this leave pursuits such as snooker, darts and chess? Most of us who love sport in all its forms, would surely like to think that the issue is slightly more complex than this. Are they ‘sports’ in the same sense of the word as football, rugby or tennis? Or are they not simply games or pastimes?

In 2005, the British Darts Organisation (BDO), after years of lobbying, finally won its battle to be recognised as a sport by every sports council in the UK. This means that darts has its own rules and regulations on drinking, smoking, doping and the behaviour of players. This new status also means that the dream of some – for darts to be included in the 2012 Olympics – is one step closer. Picture this, Phil Taylor carrying Team GB’s flag into London’s Olympic Stadium, alongside Chris Hoy and Rebecca Adlington. Stranger things have happened and at least we would gain some ground on China and the USA in the medals table.

There will always be those who scoff that fat blokes with facial hair, horrendous Hawaiian shirts and more dodgy jewellery than a pawn shop window cannot be put in the same bracket as Rafael Nadal and Cristiano Ronaldo. But the skill, dedication and entertainment on show from darts’ top professionals is a sight to behold.

On Friday March 27th, the Leicestershire public have a rare opportunity to see some of the world’s foremost ‘Tungsten Tossers’ in action at the Master of Darts Pro Invitational Showdown, at the Hermitage Leisure Centre in Coalville.

The event is the largest in independent darts history to be staged in the East Midlands and will feature former world champions ‘Darth Maple’ John Part, ‘The Limestone Cowboy’ Bob Anderson and Mark ‘Webby’ Webster alongside Peter ‘One Dart’ Manley, Wayne ‘Hawaii 501’ Mardle, Adrian ‘Jackpot’ Lewis, ‘The Machine’ James Wade and Gary ‘Dreamboy’ Anderson.

Three-time world champion, John Part, is excited about the event.

“You’ve got eight world-class players and the atmosphere will be electric with the crowd close to the stage. So who knows what will happen? Any one of us could win.”

Part is right to refer to the importance of spectators at darts events. Anyone who has watched darts on television over Christmas and into the New Year can’t help to have been impressed. The spectacle and additional buzz that is created by a passionate and enthralled audience is second

to none.

One aspect of top level darts which comes across well is the camaraderie between players, even at the top of the world rankings and in the most important events. The participants’ empathy for their opponents is endearing and perhaps explains its appeal to many. There is a level of sportsmanship towards opponents and respect for officials that many in the Premiership could learn from.

However, there is the potential for fireworks when rivals Peter Manley and Adrian Lewis face each other. The pair’s feud began in 2006 during the World Championship quarter-final, when Lewis stormed off stage after accusing Manley of swearing at him while he was throwing. Both players would dearly love to take the honours at the Masters of Darts Showdown.

For an event such as this to be coming to Leicestershire is testament to the way in which darts has grown and developed over recent years. Phil Taylor even made a recent appearance playing darts in the Rovers Return, on Coronation Street. Television viewing figures continue to grow on both the BBC and Sky as the sport carves itself a special place in the hearts of many. Manley is in no doubt about the impact of his counterpart.

“Phil Taylor has taken the game to new heights with averages that nobody would have thought possible and we’ve all got to work hard to stay with him.”

This is exactly what the eight players coming to Leicestershire will be trying to do on March 27th.

For those who already know and love darts the question of whether or not it should be called a sport doesn’t really matter. They know that the tension created by a potential nine dart finish, surely one of the greatest achievements in sport, the cheer that accompanies each 180 and the agony caused by each missed double is enough.

Perhaps the final say on the matter should go to darts’ most passionate advocate, Sid Waddell, who once uttered the immortal line, “There’s only one word for that – magic darts!”

If you want to see some of that magic then head along to Hermitage Leisure Centre on March 27th.