Namibia Darts Federation (NDF) president Jasper Blaauw has denied allegations that the federation has not given a fair chance to upcoming darts players to compete at regional level.

Some aggrieved dart players have alleged that the federation is not willing to host trials to select players for the upcoming African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Games to be held in Keetmanshoop in August this year. 

Instead, it is alleged, the federation opted to select the same crop of players who previously competed at this event in 2019, denying new players an opportunity to compete at that level.

Responding to this, Blaauw strongly denied it, saying: “We, as a federation, are committed to giving every Namibian an opportunity to compete and represent the nation”. 

He stated that they recently held trials and selected four players who will be added to the team that will compete at the Region 5 championship from 28 August to 3 September. 

The Namibian team now consists of six men, four women, four youth women, two veteran men and two veteran women. 

Each team has a manager.

He added the team is ready and prepared for this year’s tournament.

“We have been preparing, and I believe the team stands a good chance. Given the fact that we will host the games here in Namibia, it gives us the advantage to win. What also makes it exciting is that we will stage the games in the southern region of the country, where it has never been held before. This will give our people the opportunity to watch some of the region’s top darts players,” he added. 

 Regarding the Region 5  Games, he said they are expecting all regional countries to compete. 

- mkambukwe@nepc.com.na