Kriya Odayar, 40, was crowned the winner of the 2026 South African National Darts Championships in Cape Town last week, a triumph she dedicated to her late father, Morgan, and one that underlines a lifetime of family ties to the sport.
From family league nights to national champion
Odayar’s progress in darts, reported by IOL, began as a bonding activity with her father. He was a respected member of the Chatsworth and District Darts Association, and it was alongside him that she first learned the rhythm of the oche. The victory in Cape Town marks the peak of a competitive journey that only deepened from those early nights helping with match statistics and being entered into local fixtures.
The champion, a mother of two, reflected on how her family shaped her career. Her mother, Saroj, is not only a constant presence but also one of Odayar’s most successful partners in doubles competition. The pair have jointly won the South African National Doubles Championship on three occasions, a record Odayar identified as one of the great joys of her sporting life.
“This victory is more than just a title. It is a dedication to my dad. He loved this sport with all his heart, just as deeply as he loved his family,”
The emotional weight of the win was felt more keenly because Odayar’s father died last year and her mother has taken a break from competition. She described playing the national tournament without her parents as a significant challenge, yet one that made her success even more meaningful.
Highlights and legacy
Odayar’s rise to the top is notable for its steady accumulation of accomplishments rather than a sudden breakthrough. IOL reports that she only began to take the competitive side of darts seriously in 2013; before then she regarded it largely as social recreation. Her career includes several standout moments — among them winning the national doubles title in 2019 while eight months pregnant.
She called the Cape Town win the fulfilment of a long-held dream and said it felt like the greatest honour of her sporting life. The title also cements the contribution of the Odayar family to the Chatsworth darts community and the national scene.
- Event: 2026 South African National Darts Championships
- Location: Cape Town
- Champion: Kriya Odayar (40)
- Notable past achievements: Three-time South African National Doubles Champion (with mother Saroj); national doubles title in 2019 while pregnant
Beyond trophies, Odayar’s story highlights how community sport can shape identities and nurture intergenerational ties. Darts, often viewed as a social pastime, has produced athletes like Odayar who have translated grassroots involvement into national success.
What the win means for women’s darts
Odayar’s victory is significant for women’s representation in a sport that still struggles for equal attention and support compared with mainstream codes. Her dedication and visibility offer a platform for more women to consider competitive darts as a serious pursuit rather than casual entertainment.
Her achievement also serves as an example to younger players in provincial associations like the Chatsworth and District Darts Association. The pathway from local leagues to national champion is one that depends on community structures, committed partners — in Odayar’s case literally family members — and perseverance through personal adversity.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Age | 40 |
| Event | 2026 South African National Darts Championships |
| Venue | Cape Town |
| Key family connection | Mother Saroj (three-time doubles partner); late father Morgan (Chatsworth and District Darts Association) |
As she savours this national crown, Odayar has already signalled how much the sport and her family mean to her. The dedication to her father and the quiet pride in shared successes with her mother give this title a personal resonance that will linger beyond the scoreboard.
For the broader darts community, her win is both celebration and reminder: grassroots systems, family support and steady ambition remain the bedrock of national success.
