They say a jack of all trades is a master of none but the best youngest netball player in the Omaheke region has risen to the occasion to debunk this assertion.
Not only is 16-year-old Hiturepi Kahuikee, affectionately known as Golden, a celebrated netball player in school and national circles, but she has also pulled off similar feats in tennis in which she has been collecting silverware since 2017.
Born and bred in Windhoek, but with roots that extend as far as Erindi ro ‘Ukambe in the Otjinene constituency of the Omaheke region, Golden also excels academically as a Grade 10 pupil at Windhoek High School.
She plays for Wanderers Club in the national netball first division and shone the limelight on her team, Fine Young Stars netball club, when it clinched the Omaheke Club Top 20 Netball Cup at the Khomasdal Stadium recently.
The soft spoken teen also managed to scoop the coveted youngest and promising player of the tournament awards. However, the modest athlete downplays her rise to prominence, preferring to focus on the collective.
“It was an exciting team effort. Everyone brought their A-game which enabled us to overpower the competition. But all in all, I am happy that I played a major part in the victory of my team and even scooped some silverware to show for it,” Golden told The Namibian on Wednesday.
Her father, Fire Kahuikee, could not contain his joy when he spoke to Desert Radio recently about the rising star.
“I am grateful to God and I am going to do everything in my power to ensure that my daughter excels exponentially in whatever decision she takes with regard to her eventual choice of sport. Right now her primary objective is to graduate from high school,” he said.
“You know education is vital and even though she is multitalented, it is important to shape her educationally to be a productive citizen,” he said.
Golden walked away with the player of the match prize in the semi-final encounter against arch-rivals Manokile, and Fine Young Stars eventually clinched tournament honours after beating Eastern Swallows in the finals.
Her starring feat comes fresh after representing Windhoek High School’s under-17 and senior teams at the recent schools tournament in Pretoria, South Africa, and the inter-schools competition against Windhoek Gymnasium.
PROUD FATHER
Golden attributes her success in sport to the involvement of her father, who was a lethal striker in his heyday when he turned out for Young Hungry Lions, Young Stars of Okahandja and Hungry Lions.
He said the quest to help Golden become a formidable sportswoman has not been without its share of challenges.
“Firstly, she started off with tennis, which is a sports code primarily played by kids in the affluent suburbs, as such, there were no facilities in Katutura where she could practise,” he said.
“The second stumbling block is the issue of sponsorships, which as we know, are very hard to come by in Namibia.”
Other than being a natural athlete, Golden stands out for her hard work and commitment, said her father.
“Recognising our children’s talents and making sure that they are nurtured is another way through which we can empower them. Sadly though, this is something that not all parents, particularly those from previously disadvantaged communities like ours, believe in,” said the proud father, who hardly misses his daughter’s games or practice sessions.
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