Medalist Player Profile with Mohd Haris

Q. How were you introduced to the game of darts?

Back in 1989, my colleague, SG Goh, introduced me to this game when there was an in-house tournament for the staff. Mr. Goh, who works as a Project Manager at the Sembawang Shipyard, is a steel tip Premier League player.

After I got hooked on the game, Mr. Goh encouraged me to join the Singapore Darts Association to play in the Singapore Open, 3rd Division in 1989. Although I got through the first two rounds, a top player subsequently knocked me out.

I have also played in many other Malaysian states open like Johor Open, Selangor Open and Kedah Open. In most of these steel tip tournaments, I managed to get past the first 3-4 rounds but was always knocked out by a top seeded player.

Q. What do you think of the Medalist Rating System?

I think it is very good that soft tip darts have this (Medalist) rating system. This system is new to steel tip darters like myself. Although I have played steel tip darts for so many years and in many Open tournaments, this is my first time that I have encountered such a rating system.

It inspires and motivates a lower rated player to practice more and train harder to play better and aim for a higher rating so that he can go up the next higher flight. At the same time, as he is playing with players of around the same standard, he has a good chance of winning tournaments and won't feel demoralized from being easily beaten by other top players.

Q. What is your current rating now?

My Medalist Rating is 4 now.

Q. Tell us about your job and family life.

I am a Senior Supervisor at the Sembawang Shipyard. I have been working there for the past 30 years. I am married with a son, who is now in National Service. My son also throws darts with me and sometimes accompanies me to some of the Malaysian state dart open. My wife plays football and has even made it to the 1995 National Team selection. She used to follow me around and join me in throwing darts, though we seldom do that now.

Q. Who is your dart mentor or dart idol?

My dart idol is Paul Lim. To me, Paul Lim is the best-ever dart player. Back in those days when Paul was still playing in Singapore, I have always gone to watch any tournament that Paul participated just to watch him play. But I have never got the chance to play or chat with him then.

I stopped playing between 2003 and 2006 due to an arm injury. Then I heard that Paul Lim is coming back to Singapore for the Medalist Launch tournament (Feb 2006). I wanted to come and watch Paul Lim play but since only players can enter the tournament hall, I decided to pick up the game again and participated in the tournament.

I joined the tournament just to get the chance to watch Paul Lim play. And on that day, I got the chance to chat and take a photo with my idol, Paul. I told Paul that I am not a good player and I haven't been playing for some time. But Paul told me not to worry as I can play in the low flight. Though I am not a good darter, there is still a chance to win in the low flight games.

Q. How did you feel when you really won?

I was...(victoriously raising both hands in the air and lost for words) very, very happy. To me, it was the best feeling in the world, even much better than winning 4D (A local lottery game). I have never won any tournament since I started playing from 1989 and have never survived further than the 3rd or 4th round and now here I am, in front of my idol, I managed to go all the way to the final with a 2-0 victory. I just feel this victory is really something special to me.

Q. Any tip for the new player?

You must enjoy the game, doesn't matter whether it is good or bad dart, win or loose. Of all dart games, I find Medalist games are the best for enjoyment.

Q. 3 reasons why you think everyone should play Medalist soft tip darts?

Apart from it being an enjoyable game, here are my 3 points:
1. The plastic tips are safer as the tips are not steel pointed. Much easier to keep and carry in your pocket.
2. Compared to other darters, Medalist players are fun, friendly and jovial. You can be assured of a fun night with them.
3. I think Medalist darts have the potential to go very far, perhaps a few hundred boards in Singapore, considering there are many more potential locations in Singapore.