‘Golden Girl’ on leadership under pressure

Khomas under-20 netball captain Hiturepi ‘Golden Girl’ Kahuikee says leadership comes with constant pressure to set an example, both on and off the court.

Once dominant in the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, Khomas has in recent years struggled to convert final appearances into victories. At this year’s tournament, held over the Easter weekend at Keetmanshoop in the ||Kharas region, Khomas again fell short, losing 35–28 to Kavango East, who retained their title.

Reflecting on her role, Kahuikee says captaining the side carries significant responsibility.

“Captaining the great Khomas region comes with a lot of pressure, because you carry the responsibility of leading the entire team,” she says.

“You’re expected to stay composed, make good decisions, and motivate your teammates at all times. There is also pressure to lead by example, both on and off the court. In difficult moments, the team looks to you for strength and direction. However, I embraced the pressure because it has helped me grow as a leader and player.”

Despite the defeat, she expresses pride in her team’s performance.

“After the Kavango East game, I felt disappointed in the result, but not in my team. We put up a strong fight and showed great determination. Kavango East came back stronger and showed more hunger, which made the difference. As captain, my role was to stay positive and continue motivating my teammates,” she says.

Kahuikee admitts the closing stages of the match proved decisive.

“During the last minutes, there was a lot of panic on the court, especially from the pressure of the game. We made some forced errors that we could have controlled better. I think the team was feeling the urgency to catch up . . . but we were still determined and kept pushing until the final whistle.”

UNITY

She says despite the loss, the team’s unity stood out.

“Every player gave their all and remained dedicated throughout the game.”

The captain says the tournament highlighted the team’s resilience under pressure – both on and off the court.

“As a team, we handled not only the pressure on the court, but also off-court challenges like the crowd against us and the feeling that the whole region was watching,” she says.

“Despite that, every player showed courage and resilience. I’m proud of how each player stepped up and performed under pressure. It proved that we have a team full of strong, determined individuals.”

Among the key lessons, Kahuikee mentions character development and improved focus.

“Some key positives I took from the tournament were the character development and learning to perform under pressure. We grew in our ability to block out negativity and stay focused,” she says.

She also highlights national recognition as a major achievement.

“Despite challenges like the accommodation, we adapted well and were supported by the Khomas management. Most importantly, we built strong relationships and friendships.”

TURNING POINT

Kahuikee believes the turning point in the final was a late shift in momentum.

“I feel the defining factor in the game was the shift in momentum during the final minutes. Kavango East capitalised on our mistakes and maintained their composure under pressure. Our forced errors and moments of panic made it difficult to regain control.”

The team has learnt not to underestimate opponents, she says.

“We realised that relaxing or ‘sleeping on duty’, as the coach would say, can quickly shift the outcome of a game. We also learned how crucial mental preparation is.”

Looking ahead, Kahuikee is confident the experience will strengthen the squad.

“Moving forward, we’ll carry these lessons to remain focused, prepared, and in control of our performance,” she says.

She acknowledges that Kavango East executed their strategy more effectively.

“They did not necessarily bring anything unexpected, but they executed their game plan better on the day. It was more about us not fully sticking to our structure and making unforced errors at crucial moments.”

Despite back-to-back final disappointments, Kahuikee views the team’s progress positively.

“I’m extremely proud of getting this team to the finals. Considering we were ranked fourth last year, reaching the finals this year was a huge step forward,” she says.

“While I sometimes feel the pressure of losing in the finals, I remind myself that making it there is something many teams didn’t achieve. I couldn’t have done it on my own; it was the coaches and the entire team who made it possible.”

She says some of the team’s proudest moments included individual awards and strong camaraderie.

“Our proudest moments were seeing teammates earn individual awards, like player of the match, and making it to the finals. Beyond results, I’m proud of how we supported and motivated each other, staying united no matter the challenges. Most of us were also selected for the under-19 national training squad.”

Asked to describe the tournament, Kahuikee chooses three words: “Challenging, rewarding and unforgettable.”

“My favourite memory was celebrating my 18th birthday during the tour. The teams sang for me before our game against Kavango West, which made me feel truly appreciated,” she says.

Reflecting on her leadership journey, she emphasises growth and responsibility.

STAYING CALM

“The biggest lesson I’ve learnt as team captain is that leadership is about staying calm under pressure and putting the team first. I discovered that I can motivate, support, and guide others even in challenging situations,” she says.

“I’ve also learnt the importance of leading by attitude and effort – it directly influences the team. Being a captain is not just about playing well, but about building trust and unity within the team.”

Looking to next year, Kahuikee says preparation will be key.

“As a group, we will focus on mental and physical preparation to ensure we’re stronger next year. We’ll work on maintaining focus, staying disciplined, and not underestimating any opponent,” she says.

“Our goal is to come back more united, confident, and ready to compete at the highest level.”

She also praised the tournament organisers and support staff.

“I would like to sincerely thank The Namibian and Nedbank Namibia for making this tournament possible. A special thank you goes to the technical table, led by coach Zanté Farmer and her colleagues, for their dedication,” she says.

“I also extend my gratitude to the Khomas team, the chairperson, and the entire Esco team, as well as our management, coach Hendrine Kandovazu, coach Zanté Farmer, and team manager Shirley Karuhumba. Thank you for your support, guidance, and belief in us.

“This tournament was not just about competition, but about growth, teamwork, and creating lasting memories.”

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