Dart Players Middle East (DPME) are hitting the bullseye by bringing the sport to new heights in the UAE and there are multiple ways to get involved this month.
With the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters coming up next month, DPME are holding an amateur qualifier to give two people a chance to play on finals night ahead of the professionals.
There’s also an end-of-the-month tournament taking place on Saturday, April 29, for competitive players to show their skills in a single knockout for both men and women.
While darts may not be the most popular sport in the region, there are plenty of people who love the game and DPME are doing everything they can to offer even more opportunities for all.
“We started off as a darts team around a year ago now, with just a group of people who would be interested in playing,” said DPME club secretary Ross Hampton.
“There’s obviously a big expat base over and a lot of people come over from different countries who enjoy the social side of it and the competitive side as well. So we tried to put together a structure so everyone can do that.”
Now, with the amateur qualifying, darts will become even more prominent in the region as players will vie, through four qualifiers in the coming weeks, to get on the same stage as the pros on the finals night of the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters, held on May 24 and 25.
If you think you have what it takes, head down to Irish Village in Garhoud, Dubai, on either Friday, April 21, Friday, April 28, Friday, May 12 or Friday, May 19. Entrants may only apply once and the final two competitors standing will battle it out on at the final, while also earning a meet and greet with the pros at the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters press conference and signed memorabilia.
There is no entry fee and participants of any gender must be at least 16 years of age.
“We’re just really trying to grow the darts scene,” said Hampton. “We’re trying to get the UAE more known in darts and the players over here on a more bigger stage, which is where this tournament comes in.
“We’ve been trying to get the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) affiliated. One of our big targets is to get local representation up on the stage for the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters. It’s the only one in the series that doesn’t have local representation. This is what we’re really trying to push for and what they’ve given us is a great opportunity.”
You can also take part in the DPME Masters Series Singles Darts Tournament, held at Jebel Ali Recreation Club on Saturday, April 29, or by joining the Wednesday social league.
