GIAN VAN VEEN considered quitting the sport prematurely as he felt guilty for “wasting” his parents’ money.
The darts star is one of the most promising players in the sport and faces teenage sensation , 18, in the World Darts Championship final.
Gian van Veen considered quitting darts prematurely as he felt guilty for ‘wasting’ his parents’ moneyCredit: Shutterstock
He turned things around and is now the second most promising talent behind Luke LittlerCredit: AP
But before reaching the tonight, the Giants’ career almost halted before it started.
Van Veen, 23, suffered a number of false starts in his youth career and it started to take a toll.
He endured pre-match nerves which ended up with him suffering from dartitis.
That was down to him feeling like he was letting his parents’ down after all the money they invested in his passion for the sport for years, with him coming back with zero earnings.
The Dutchman’s level plunged to a 65 average and video games seemed more interesting than training.
And so after six consecutive tournaments without prize money he thought he would never climb up the ranks from amateur darts.
Van Veen told NU : “I was practicing in my bedroom and suddenly couldn’t let go of the dart.
“Meanwhile, it felt like I was wasting my parents’ money, because I kept coming home with zero euros.
“I was playing for my parents, not for myself. After misses I thought: there goes their money again.
“I thought: I’ll just stay an amateur.”
However, Van Veen’s fortunes turned during the pandemic when he had the chance to compete from home.
All the popular thrower had to do was set up a webcam and a dart board without the added pressure of travel costs and having to win to return his parents’ financial investment.
added: “It felt like a relief not having to think about my parents’ expenses.
“Night after night I was throwing past midnight, at the board mounted on the wall of their bedroom.
“I think I just wasn’t a great talent mentally. I needed those matches at home to realise I could do it.
“Intelligence can get in your way too. In darts it’s best not to think and just throw. A lot of other players are better at that.”
And the rest is now history with Van Veen 10th in the darts’ world rankings today.
He could even finish the evening on top of the world should he beat Littler at Ally Pally.
The victor will walk away with a stunning – the biggest in the history of darts.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
