Clive Thabo Dube
Sports Reporter
IN a sport of arrows which is amongst the less popular sports around the world, Charles ‘Bastido’ John still competes professionally in the country at a ripe age of 55-years.
Charles John who is still going strong today has eye-watering accomplishments under his belt which has cemented his status as one of the best darts players in Zimbabwe. This has earned him the respect of many fellow players in the darts fraternity.
The Chinhoyi born and bred started playing darts in the 1990’s under the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Manicaland province after suffering a knee injury which ended his soccer career. Before the injury, the 55 year old also partook in Judo, boxing and karate.
Between 2003- 2023, the former St. Peters Primary School and Harare High School student has accumulated more than 30 silver and gold wear (medals and trophies) which are safely kept in his bustling trophy cabinet.
“I started playing competitive darts in 1998 representing ZRP Manicaland province at the then Commissioners darts tournament held at Mucheke Hall in Masvingo. During this period, I wasnt playing for any club as I had just transferred from Cashel Valley Police station in Chimanimani to Sakubva Police station in Mutare when I met a team selected to represent the province practicing at Mutare Old Camp
“Before playing darts I was the goal keeper of ZRP Manicaland province soccer team and I got injured on the right knee, ending my soccer career. The doctor who attended me during the injury assigned me to do light duties. The Officer In Charge for (OIC) Cashel Valley Police Station then deployed me to manage our local canteen where darts were played
“The Officer in Charge and his deputy were darts players who would challenge each other on a daily basis after work and they would ask me to chalk the games for them. I got tired of recording them, this is why l started to learn how to play the sport with old darts. I then started practicing with them (OIC and his deputy) and was able to defeat them. They then encouraged me to buy my own set of darts. My first set of darts was 18 grams brass which I bought at Meikles Stores in Mutare and I became the instant Cashel area darts champion.” He added.
In 2001, Bastido was transferred from Manicaland to Mashonaland East Province where he joined ZRP Hustlers which was affiliated to National Darts Association of Zimbabwe (NDAZ). In the team he played with the likes of Lloyd Muza, Edward Masamba and Peter Mulukula.
He went on to represented Mashonaland East at a NDAZ Easter Tournament in 2003 which was held at Lomagundi College, where his team performed exceptionally well.
Fast forwarding to 2015, he represented team Zimbabwe at the Police Chiefs Sub-committee known as the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation (SARPCCO) level games which were played in Mbabane, Swaziland. Team Zimbabwe came second to South Africa.
Last year, the law enforcer stationed Police General Headquarters,Harare was elected the Chairperson for ZRP Darts Association. In the same year, he guided the Zimbabwean team to triumph in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Zimbabwe won 10 medals 10 medals out of a possible 14.
According to the ZRP Hustlers and Kasipiti darts club player, Zimbabwe has top darts players who can make it globally in the underrated and underfunded sport in the country. He said these players only lack consistency and the only consistent players include him, Modekai Dheka (his No.1 rival) and Alvot Tazvitya.
Speaking to Zim GBC News,Charles ‘Bastido’ John said the sport must be removed from bars for hygienic growth of the ‘darts culture’ sport locally and Internationally. Being played inside venues which sell beverages is further soiling the name of the sport, hindering it to be recognized by the IOC.
“Darts is a fast growing sport which is lacking sponsorship in Zimbabwe. The introduction of the sport at primary school level will go a long way in marketing the sport. The sport must be removed from bars and I will be happy to see pastors and house wives playing this sport. It’s non-physical in nature and darts are poised for growth as all ages can partake in the sport.” Said the Hypave Bees Darts Club player.
In 2013, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed that darts have to first gain the recognition by 2024 to be considered an Olympic Sport. This came at the backdrop of Sir Clive Woodward who believes its long overdue for the sport to be included for the Olympics. There is high chance for darts to be featured at the 2028 Olympic games.
Woodward is the former British Olympic Association director of elite performance.
Darts, before it became the sport dominated by the British inside pubs draws its history from France.
Zim GBC News2023©