Darts in financial dire straits
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday February 3, 2024 06:19
Under the BNSC funding model, darts occupy tier four, the lowest tier, attracting minimal financial support. BODA currently receives an annual grant of P50,000 from the commission. Thato Maphorisa, the association's spokesperson, told MmegiSport that concerted efforts are underway to secure a promotion to a higher tier.
“We are allocated a grant of P50,000 which we are expected to use for the whole year. This includes administration, grassroots developments, tournaments, and national teams, to mention but a few. The amount is not even enough to cover just one activity,” he said. Maphorisa noted that the association heavily relies on players' commitment and their passion for the game to fulfil the association's mandate. “For example, last year when we took a youth team to Zambia, parents and players contributed money for transport, meals and accommodation.
Luckily we emerged as overall winners of the tournament,” he said. Regarding the BNSC guidelines for advancement to a higher tier, Maphorisa explained that BODA is working diligently to adhere to these guidelines, which could potentially attract better funding. BODA boasts 10 affiliates in the north, including Palapye, Mmabesi, Orapa, Legends, Guns and Roses, Cruest, G3, Garrison Bosses, MSC, and Golden Flight. In the south, BDF, Police, BTC, Millennium, Jwaneng, BUAN, and Thebephatshwa represent the seven BODA affiliates. Maphorisa clarified that Zoopers, Zoopers Vets, Zoopers Arrows, Darting Divas, and Torkcraft failed to comply with BODA's constitution rules and regulations, aligned with Region V rules. When confronted, they chose to suspend their membership, consequently abstaining from BODA activities during the 2023 season.
“Those are big clubs but not bigger than the association, that is why when shown rules they opted to withdraw from BODA activities. They have resigned from the association so we realised that they have a problem with the BODA president and some national executive committee members,” Maphorisa said. He added that is the reason why during the 2023 season, only five affiliates competed in the league. Maphorisa said they have embarked on a mission to ensure compliance, satisfy the BNSC requirements, and see what would happen to the funding. “We have engaged people with disabilities, we have held youth tournaments and even proceeded to scoop position one at the Region V tournament. We staged a lot of tournaments last year. We have formed the women’s commissions including having women in the national executive committee
. Our association has also submitted annual returns as required by the Registrar of Societies and the BNSC,” he said. Maphorisa said it is unfortunate that darts do not have continental championships. He said hopefully the event would be held next year. When asked about players who were on the verge of qualifying for the 2023 PDC World Darts Championships, Maphorisa said the players took part in an unsanctioned darts competition. He said players registered under BODA and Region V cannot compete in such a competition. “I cannot comment on the route they were to take to qualify for PDC World Darts Championships as I do not know how their games operate,” Maphorisa said.