Kriya hits the bullseye

KRIYA Odayar is a humble young woman, who is completing her PhD in biotechnology at the Institute of Water and Wastewater Technology. However, she also possesses a few other talents that have taken her local community, KwaZulu-Natal and the country by storm.

Odayar, pictured, is a darts player whose love for the sport began as a youngster in primary school.

caught up with Odayar, who is breaking boundaries as a rare female competitor.

“I used to enjoy playing the sport with my brothers when I was around 8. I had a natural love and passion for darts, and it grew from there,” said Odayar of Crossmoor, Chatsworth.

She then joined the Sialkot Celtic Dart Club and began playing league matches in 2013.

“My dad Morgan and uncle Paul Pillay are founders of the club and have been playing darts for more than 30 years, so it was only natural for me to join their establishment.”

Odayar, 32, excelled beyond expectations and finished as the top player in the Inter-Association League of KZN.

She competed in the Women Warriors and Last Man Standing tournaments and won both competitions.

At this year’s recently completed South African National Championships in Joburg, Odayar was crowned the top female player at the tournament.

She has been selected to represent South Africa at next year’s World Cup of Darts in Romania, and is excited at the prospect, but requires financial support.

She hopes more women will enter the darts fraternity.

“There is a misconception that darts is a bar sport, but it will become an Olympic event soon. I implore more females to take it up.”