Uganda is set to make its historic debut at the World Cup of Darts this summer, with Juma Said and Patrick Ocheng representing the nation. In an interview on the Weekly Dartscast, Said shared the remarkable story of his late entry into the sport, which began at age 31 during the COVID-19 pandemic. "I was probably around 31 years old," Said explained. "When COVID came, we were on leave, and someone brought a darts board, which was new to me, along with some darts." After learning the basics from a friend, his curiosity quickly turned into a passion.
Said's inspiration came from watching top players like Peter Wright and Phil Taylor on video. Initially daunted by their skill—noting he was "still throwing 40 darts" while seeing nine-dart finishes—he found motivation in a specific moment. "I noticed Peter Wright hitting scores like 26 and 25, and I thought, wow, it is possible for me to improve and reach that level," Said recalled. This realization spurred his rapid development, as he joined a club in 2022 to play more seriously and competitively.
Within just three years, Said progressed to what he considers a professional level. "It took me about three years to become a professional-level player," he said, adding that he now feels capable of training others, especially younger players. Drawing inspiration from young European talents like Luke Littler and Gian van Veen, Said has taken on a role in developing darts in Uganda. "I saw how young players there were already competing at a high level. That motivated me to start training young players myself," he noted, with some of his trainees now improving significantly.
Uganda's participation in the World Cup of Darts marks a historic milestone for the country, culminating Said's journey from a pandemic-era beginner to a national representative. His story highlights not only personal achievement but also a growing commitment to fostering darts talent in Uganda.
