Wanderers Club’s Layla Niayesh has made South Africa proud at the 4th African Youth Games in Angola, winning two silver medals in badminton doubles alongside partner Chloe Lai.
“It was incredible to stand on the podium representing my country,” Layla said. “I tried to soak up every moment.”
The teenager’s journey to international competition began in Taiwan, where she first discovered badminton while visiting family.
What started as casual games with her cousin soon turned into structured lessons, local tournaments, and a serious commitment to the sport. Three years later, Layla is competing at the highest level for her age group and gaining invaluable experience on the continental stage.
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She credits her mother as her biggest supporter. “She’s always there behind me in my games, whether I’m winning or losing. She drives me to training and competitions, and I wouldn’t be able to achieve my goals without her.”
Team South Africa had a historic showing at the games, collecting 99 medals and topping the medal table, surpassing the previous record set in 2014. For Layla, the games were not just about medals; they were a chance to test herself against Africa’s best, learn from high-pressure situations, and grow as a player.
Looking forward, Layla hopes to make the All Africa U19 team next year and eventually compete in senior continental competitions. “With time, focus, and consistency, I hope to achieve these goals.”
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