Can darts get status in Asia like other sports?
Darts is popularly known as the game of England because it is mostly played and liked by European nations for years due to frequent tournaments organised by Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and British Darts Organisation (BDO) and millions of dollars
are awarded to champions who display their outstanding performance and win titles.
Darts game also attracts players from America, Australia, Netherlands, Canada and other European countries, but it is not gaining such status in Asia till yet, although the game is played in some Asian countries like China, India and Nepal, but it is yet
to gain popularity in all Asian countries.
One can say that sponsorship is the main reason for not organising big tournaments, but again question arises that how the darts associations or individual players get sponsorship, until and unless there would be no tournaments. It is quite clear that sponsorship
is given only when there is considerably big crowd attraction towards the game and stars, and this can only be achieved by organising big tournaments.
Despite the establishment of various organisations like All India Darts Association, Brunei Darts Association, Hong Kong Darts Association, Japan Sports Federation of Darts, South Asian Darts Federation and World Darts Federation, the game is not progressing
in Asia except China, where it is just getting momentum.
The game is gaining popularity in Shanghai, China and it seems that in near future the game would attract vast population from across the country, while the formation of Shanghai Darts League is another step which works for the promotion
of darts in China and organises a mega tournament in Shanghai every year where darts players throughout the country come together and display their talent. Shanghai tournament is also producing great talents for the country day by day.
It is time now for other Asian countries and their respective organisations (darts associations) to come forward and play their part positively for the promotion of darts and also organise both national and international tournaments like other sports frequently
and in this way the game would get good promotion in future.
Phil Taylor, the 15-time world champion said in his recent interviews after clinching the fourth Grand Slam of Darts (GSoD) title in Wolverhampton, said that Asian darts stars have the ability to win titles regularly, if they get sponsorship. “They have
the talent but they don’t have money to travel to Europe frequently for major tournaments”.
It means that there is great potential in Asia who can win trophies regularly, if they start getting sponsorship to travel Europe, so only associations can play their part in this regard. They need to step forward and work for the promotion of darts in Asia
as this would not only be a step for getting sponsorship for tournaments, but also increase popularity and status of the game on fast track basis.
The governments in Asia can also play their due role for the promotion of darts in their respective countries as they are doing for other sports. They (governments) hire players, trained them regularly and also award them central contracts on regularly.
So, they should also give darts the same status in order to promote it in Asia.
In this regard the efforts of PDC and BDO are worth encouraging as they are planning to enter in Asia and capture its market and also looking forward to organise some tournaments in China and South Africa.