Phindile Ndlovu (15) recently took part in the South African National Youth, Seniors and Masters Darts Championships, held at Port Edward Wild Coast Casino. The championships brought together the best players from across the country.

“For me, it was a milestone. It was my very first time competing at the nationals. Walking into the tournament hall on the opening day, I felt an overwhelming mix of anxiety and excitement.

“The pressure was on another level, with the competition format fast-paced and the rules far stricter than the tournaments I was used to back home,” Ndlovu expressed.

She mentioned that adjusting to the competition’s environment was a challenge, saying her emotions ran high. She cited that her performance on the first day reflected her nervousness.

“On the second day, I had settled in, regained my composure, and played with confidence right through to the final stage,” she said.

The competition format consisted of singles, doubles, and mixed pairs.

“In the singles, I competed one-on-one and managed to secure a 10th place finish. In the doubles, paired with a female teammate from Gauteng, we went all the way to first place, claiming the top spot in the country.

“In the mixed pairs, I was partnered with a male teammate from Gauteng, and together we finished in third place, narrowly missing out on second by a leg difference,” she explained.

The Gauteng youth players as a whole dominated the tournament, finishing in first place nationally and taking home six trophies.

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“Personally, I left with a gold medal for Gauteng youth player and for doubles, a bronze medal for mixed pairs, and a doubles trophy, which serves as a proud reminder of the effort and teamwork that carried us through,” she added.

Ndlovu shared that the closing ceremony was an emotional moment.

“As the results were announced, every player’s fingers were crossed, each of us hoping to return home with something. In the end, Gauteng youth players swept the awards, making me proud to be part of such a strong and supportive team,” she expressed with gratitude.

“This experience taught me that patience is key, and that when the time is right, the Lord makes it happen regardless of the obstacles. Most importantly, I learned to trust myself, push through the nerves, and give my all.

“I remain deeply grateful for the support of my parents, my teammates, and my province, and I will always treasure this milestone achievement in my sporting journey.”