MR Kambu, the architect of Persipura's famous victory<\/p>\n
Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura, Papua<\/p>\n
Persipura Jayapura and Menase Robert Kambu are considered one
\nand the same by supporters, mentioned in the same breath when
\ndiscussing the latest exploits of the soccer team.<\/p>\n
The chairman and manager of the team nicknamed the "black
\npearls" is credited with taking the Indonesian League also-ran
\nand making them contenders -- and then champions.<\/p>\n
The Jayapura mayor took over the reins in 2001, when Persipura
\nwere threatened with relegation from the league. He immediately
\nbegan making difficult, sometimes unpopular decisions in his
\nambition to make the team worthy of its promise.<\/p>\n
"I thought Persipura was very unfortunate and wondered what
\nwas wrong with the club," he recalled.<\/p>\n
Officials failing to make a positive contribution to the team
\nwere let go; players known for being drunks and slackers were
\nshown the door and recruitment was made more professional.<\/p>\n
Foreign players were hired, put under contract and salaries
\nwere raised. The hiring of foreigners was particularly
\ncontentious, with gripes that there was no need to bring in
\noutsiders with a local pool of talent.<\/p>\n
"It's indeed very expensive but cost must never be a barrier
\nto the quest for achievement," the native of Sorong, Papua said.<\/p>\n
The tough reforms have paid off; although the team was 13th in
\nthe 10th edition of the league in 2004, it triumphed over Persija
\nJakarta in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Sept. 25 in a nail-biting
\n3-2 finish to become champion.<\/p>\n
For this year's league, Kambu recruited five foreign players
\nand appointed Rahmad Dharmawan -- a former coach of Persikota
\nTangerang.<\/p>\n
"Pak Kambu braved public controversy because Persipura had
\nbeen against hiring non-Papuan players, having confidence in the
\nskills of locals. But the team always came unstuck in the main
\ndivision," said club secretary Iwan Nazaruddin.<\/p>\n
Persipura notched a runner-up finish in the second Indonesian
\nLeague in 1996, but then it started to unravel. Kambu blames the
\nnepotistic attitude of former officials, who would hire their own
\nrelatives and fiercely opposed bringing in foreigners.<\/p>\n
Now that Persipura is the champion, the criticism of his
\ndaring measures have been replaced by praise. When the Persipura
\n11 arrived at the Sentani Airport in Jayapura after their win,
\nKambu was warmly welcomed as a hero.<\/p>\n
It's been a very auspicious year for the Kambus. Apart from
\nKambu's reelection on July 27 and Persija's victory, his two
\nchildren, Hans and Agustina, have finished their medical and law
\nstudies respectively while Persipura is now atop the ranks of
\nDjarum National League 2005.<\/p>\n
Kambu, 52, believes in the importance of faith, including on
\nthe soccer pitch.<\/p>\n
"Don't forget to pray, that's what pak Kambu always advises
\nhis players to do," said Persipura player Jack Komboy, noting
\nthat a prayer service was conducted at the team's hotel before
\nthe final last month.<\/p>\n
"While Persija relied on a large number of supporters,
\nPersipura has faith in God."<\/p>\n
Kambu likened the match against Persija to a David-and-Goliath
\ncontest, but now he wants to turn the former minnow into a
\nnational giant to be reckoned with on the regional scene.<\/p>\n
Other winners of the Indonesian League who have qualified for
\nthe Asian Champions series have lost in a flood of goals.<\/p>\n
"My aim is to make Persipura far better than previous national
\nteams, at least by minimizing the score in our goal," he said.<\/p>",
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