These aren’t Cupid’s arrows
No less than ninety-one dart players from across the country pitted their skills against each other during the Department of Correctional Services (SADC) biennial darts competition that took place this week at the Weesgerus Holiday Resort on the outskirts of Modimolle.
The hall was abuzz with friendly banter as the players lined up to take turns on the line of dart boards. While some looked relaxed, others took the competition seriously and contemplated their strategy.
All players must be registered and only the best dart players in the department employ qualify to represent their regions. There are six regions namely Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and MNW (Mpumalanga, North West and Limpopo) and Free State combined with Northern Cape as one team.
Darts is the fastest-growing sports code in the department, according to Jolene Greeff, a management member of the Darts Association. “The event offers healthy competition among colleagues but make no mistake, the competition is stiff. Darts is unpredictable – the strongest player may lose to the weakest if he loses concentration,” she said.
“We are one big family and everyone is excited to see each other again every second year at these events.”
Each player finances his own traveling costs and participation in the event.
Daan Frederiks, a player representing the Western Cape, is the SADC champion for Correctional Services employees. Countries in Southern Africa such as Namibia, Swaziland, Botswana,
Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa, compete against each other. “I’ve been playing darts with my brothers since a young age. I practice every day,” said Frederiks, who hails from Porterville.
The finals will take place on Thursday afternoon, 29 August.
