Those familiar with the local sports scene know Lukas Hashiti’s prowess as a goalkeeper in the Namibian Premier League (now the Debmarine Premiership), where he played for Civics, Ramblers, and UNAM FC. Though at Civics, he primarily served as backup to Denzil Bruwer.
His role as principal of Jan Möhr Secondary School in Windhoek since 2019 has not diminished Hashiti’s passion for football. Currently, he serves as the goalkeeper coach at Bucks Buccaneers in the Debmarine Premiership, a commitment he maintains as a side venture.
Adding to his repertoire, he is a certified handball coach. His expertise was recently recognized with his appointment as assistant coach for the Khomas Region Newspaper Cup, under head coach Risto Shikomba.
This week, Confidente spoke with the 45-year-old retired goalkeeper about his football journey, his favourite local goalkeepers, and his plans to introduce handball at his school.
Hashiti, born in Olupito village, Okalongo constituency in the Omusati Region, recounted: “I started off as a defender before turning into a goalkeeper. My first coach was the late Uusiku Kuutumbeni at Oshatotwa Combined School. I played in the second division and first division before joining Civics in 2005 to 2006, after that I went to Ramblers in 2007, before joining UNAM. I joined Bucks Buccaneers immediately when Civics sold its status to Buccaneers.
“My best moment as a player was winning the premier league titles in the 2005-06 season and the 2006-07 season and also playing in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League. I am enjoying life at Bucks because I am getting all the support needed and the club also values my contribution,” Hashiti said.
Hashiti considers former Brave Warriors goalkeepers Athiel Mbaha and Arnold Subeb as the premier league’s greatest. Mbaha is currently the goalkeeper coach at African Stars, and Subeb is the current Brave Warriors goalkeeper coach.
Earlier this month, the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) awarded certificates to handball coaches, including Hashiti, after completing a coaching course in Windhoek.
Handball is rapidly growing in Namibia, despite only receiving Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) affiliation nearly three years ago.
“Football is my hobby. If there is no football I do spend time with my family. Being a sports person helps me to remain fit, and to inspire the youth. Playing football has instilled discipline in me, as I became hard working, and there was no time to go to bars to drink alcohol or try to smoke. I am now a qualified code C Handball coach.  As a Khomas School Sports Region (KSSR) vice-chairperson, we want handball to be played in every school in the region. First I want to introduce it at our school before taking it to other schools. Monday to Friday, I wake up at 05H00 for work. Training at Bucks is from 17H00 to 19H00. Handball training starts at 14H00 to 16H00 some days, so my life is all about sport,” Hashiti said.