Stephanie hits the bull’s eye
There is one phenomenal woman in the community of eMalahleni who will get a bull’s eye for her dedication to the sport she loves.
Colonel Stephanie Malan from Witbank Police Station works a full day’s job and then she still plays darts for the police team.
This year Stephanie was chosen for the national darts team and they will be going to Ghana for the Police International Darts Championships.
Last year the national team went to Congo, where she took part in the championships.
Two years ago Stephanie was chosen to take part in the Police International Fire Games in Sydney, where she did extremely well.
Stephanie has achieved so much with her darts since she started playing professionally in 2005.
“I just love playing this game. A person really has to think and perfect the art of throwing the darts,” said Stephanie.
She is a single mom and therefore she could only start playing competitively once her son was grown up. She knew she had the talent, but to be a mother to her child was more important.
Stephanie used to play darts with her father and brother and that is where the love for the sport came about. She also learnt a lot about this sport from her father.
Since 2005, when she started playing darts for SAPS, she has won the SAPS National Championships every year except this year.
“Next year I am taking the title back as I will not settle for anything less,” said Stephanie.
She is also the chairperson for Mpumalanga SAPS Darts committee.
“It takes a lot of discipline, a person has to make time to practice for at least an hour a day,” said Stephanie.
The best part of this year’s nationals she got to see new faces and got to build relationships with new people.
Stephanie also plays darts for a private dart club in Middelburg in her spare time, where she takes part in various competitions.
“What is needed is sports development within the SAPS, so more talents within the police can be recognized,” said Stephanie.
Stephanie would like to thank General N.E Dlamani for all his support for darts and all the sports in the cluster.
“I am so thankful for what I have achieved so far. And achieving something is a real motivation to continue,” concluded Stephanie.
