Considering that India has a population of around 1.37 billion people, according to the latest United Nations estimates, it’s perhaps surprising that in the world of professional darts, just two Indian-born players are likely to compete at the sport’s biggest competitions this year. However, there’s great hope that the country could become a source of talented darts stars in the not too distant future.
The Origins of Darts
The modern game of darts has come a very long way since its humble beginnings, early in the twentieth century. Today, it is an increasingly popular international sport played by amateurs and professionals alike, has spread around the world from its industrial working-class origins of northern England.
Shortly before the outbreak of the First World War, the original dartboards were still made from log ends in Lancashire and Yorkshire, typically elmwood, featuring just the double ring and a bullseye, and much smaller in diameter. The original darts were simply whittled-down arrows or crossbow bolts, before the first purpose-made darts began to appear, crafted from wood and sheathed in lead for added weight, with turkey feathers used for the flights.
As time and technology brought improvements, the popularity of the game also increased. Beyond being regularly played in pubs and clubs, darts first appeared on television in 1936, albeit to a very limited audience. By 1954, the National Darts Association of Great Britain began organizing regional and national leagues. The boom for professional darts came in the 70s and 80s, when players such as Eric Bristow and Jockey Wilson were household names.
Leading Indian Darts Players
While it’s fair to say that the game of darts has also been played for many years throughout India, particularly given the strong cultural and Commonwealth ties with Britain, it still hasn’t reached the levels of popularity enjoyed by major sports such as cricket or hockey. That said, there are some notable Indian darts players who have regularly appeared at some of the most prestigious darts tournaments in the world, during the last decade or so.
Nevertheless, even the very best Indian players have a long way to go before they can hope to match the leading stars of the sport, such as darts betting favourite Michael van Gerwen. The popular Dutchman known as “Mighty Mike” is 11/8 darts betting favorite to win the 2019 Champions League in October, and 5/4 to reign supreme at the PDC World Championship 2020 event, which starts in December and concludes on New Year’s Day.
Still active at national and Asian events, Ashfaque Sayed from Pune regularly competed at professional tournaments from 2003. His career highlight was reaching the last 68 of the 2008 PDC World Championship. Based in England and having started as an amateur, Prakash Jiwa is considered the best Indian darts player of all-time, reaching the quarter-finals of the Players Championship and even beating five-time champion Raymond van Barneveld.
However, the greatest hope for professional Indian darts is currently Nitin Kumar, hailing from Tamil Nadu, yet known as ‘The Royal Bengal’ for the tiger design of the shirts he always wears on the professional circuit. The 33-year-old has already earned plenty of experience competing at important darts tournaments. He also reached the last 96 at the 2019 PDC World Championship and will be keen to go further at this year’s event.
Aiming for the future
Encouraging the growth and popularity of darts as a pastime and helping to establish state associations throughout the country, the All India Darts Association has worked hard to organize competitions for youth and adult players alike, since it was founded in 2000. Keen to encourage more enthusiasm and participation in darts, AIDA is always on the lookout for talented players who are keen to improve their game.
Good hand and eye coordination? Regularly hit treble twenties or the bullseye when playing darts with friends? If you think you might be the next Ashfaque Sayed, Prakash Jiwa or Nitin Kumar, then it might be worth giving AIDA a call.
Liam Jones
