Darts (Darts in General)

Member Name: Ryandinho

Product:	Darts in General
Date:	05/03/09 (33 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A highly entertaining sport

Disadvantages: Suffers from general public perception

Is it a pub sport? Is it an Olympic sport as some have suggested? Everyone knows how to play but yet only a select few can truly play. The rules haven't changed so the familiarity factor is there. Somehow no matter what darts tries they cant break through the stigma that it is pub sport in the eyes of most people.

Darts has been around for a long time, with the game being invented in the 1800's so it has plenty of history behind it. Although the original format has changed to become the modern game we know, darts has a similar history to other Olympic recognised sports in terms of its development.

In the UK, for many years darts has been shown on the BBC. Back in the days when the BBC has all the major sporting coverage darts was able to grow in its popularity but it still was looked at as a sport to watch on TV on a lazy Sunday. Though the sport was fairly popular during this time, none of the players were ever fully professional to the point where they could make a good living from the game of darts.

In 1992, a breakaway organisation was formed, initially known as the World Darts Council (WDC) but shortly after known as the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). The PDC struck a deal with Sky Sports to get their events shown and as a result were able to offer much more prize money than their rivals. For the first time, a darts player was able to fully be a professional sportsman.

Over time, the level of darts grew until the current day with the beginning of Premier League Darts and the growth of its coverage on Sky Sports. It has become a lot more glamorous and its production values are much higher than anything the BBC was able to produce. The crowds who attend these events are some of the most entertaining crowds to attend any sporting event, and anyone who has ever been to one says how much they enjoyed the atmosphere created as a result.

Darts has suffered from a drinking culture and general lack of fitness. This was evident in a comedy sketch I once saw where the commentators were describing the drinking being done by the main player while the other one relaxed by playing darts in the background. The level of competition in the PDC is improving this aspect of darts also. All the players are taking their fitness levels a lot more seriously to try to gain that extra bit of competitive advantage over their opponents. This was shown when a high profile exhibition watch was organised between PDC champion Phil 'The Power' Taylor and the BDO champion Andy 'The Viking' Fordham. Andy Fordham wasn't even able to finish the match because of the intensity of the game, which showed just how far the PDC players have jumped ahead.

Another main feature of darts is the commentators. The BBC and Sky Sports commentators couldn't be more opposite. The BBC is slow and unexcitable while Sid Waddell from Sky is unable to be calm for any more than 2 seconds. The commentating is either a love or hate for most viewers, which can either add to the enjoyment or put a viewer off completely.

As for the argument about whether darts should be an Olympic sport, there are many arguments for and against. I think it has as much right to be in the Olympics as some of the other sports already in it. How is shooting any different from darts? Is Diving really that more exciting than seeing 2 players battle over an hour until a dramatic finale? I know which one I'd rather watch.

Summary: Deserves more credit