Darts hits the bullseye in Dubai

Friday, May 24, 2013

Dubai: When it was announced in January that Dubai would be hosting a darts tournament, there were guffaws and cynicism aplenty from many in the local sporting fraternity.

The prevailing wisdom was: Firstly, how could an activity with pub origins, which you can play in your bedroom, even be considered a sport? Secondly, were the organisers mad thinking it could grace a venue with a capacity of 5,000 people — the Dubai Tennis Stadium?

But one needn’t have doubted those doyens of good taste at Dubai Duty Free, who have brought top-class sporting events to the city for more than 20 years and who threw their weight behind the inaugural Dubai Darts Masters.

For DDF executive vice-chairman Colm McLoughlin and his canny cohorts have succeeded in unearthing another jewel for Dubai’s sporting crown with this weekend’s two-day event.

Much like the city’s well-established annual festival of sporting fun and frivolity, the Rugby Sevens, the tournament featuring the world’s top-eight darts players proved to be as much about the about the supporters as it was about the action on the oche.

For example, there were eye-catching sights such as men sporting pink wigs and dressed as the cartoon character Barney Rubble (in support of one of the players taking part, Raymond ‘Barney’ van Barneveld).

And, emulating the noise and fervour of the fans who have made darts the second most-watched sport on television in the United Kingdom, there was good-natured, football-style chanting throughout from the 2,500 darts devotees.

Choruses of “Stand up if you love the darts” were lustily and frequently sung by an exuberant crowd predominantly comprising British expatriates, while Planet Funk’s infectious pop anthem “Chase the Sun”, which has become the signature tune of darts in its hotbed of Great Britain, had everyone jigging and clapping along during breaks in play.

While those filling the stands of the Dubai Tennis Stadium were in fine form, the players — although clearly revelling in the novelty of the occasion — were largely below their best as they acclimatised to the alien conditions.

For most of the competitors, this was the first time they had played outdoors (on a specially constructed stage at the royal box end of the stadium, with four big screens to allow fans to watch the action), having to contend with heat, humidity and occasional breezes.

And the conditions certainly seemed to affect the 16-time and reigning world champion Phil Taylor, who suffered a shock 10-8 defeat to Andy Hamilton in his quarter-final on Thursday night.

World number two Michael van Gerwen, who recovered from a 5-1 deficit to beat Wes Newton 10-7 and earn a semi-final showdown with Hamilton on Friday night, also took time to adapt to the unusual outdoor setting.

He said: “This was totally different to anything else I’ve played in; it was very hot but I’m so glad I won. I was very happy with my performance and this is a great event. It’s the first time I’ve played outside, but it was good.”

Like the precision of his darts, Van Gerwen’s comments were spot-on.

Let’s hope we see the man known as “Mighty Mike” and co back in the city next year.

By Euan Reedie Deputy Sports Editor