MR Kambu, the architect of Persipura's famous victory

MR Kambu, the architect of Persipura's famous victory

Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura, Papua

Persipura Jayapura and Menase Robert Kambu are considered one
and the same by supporters, mentioned in the same breath when
discussing the latest exploits of the soccer team.

The chairman and manager of the team nicknamed the "black
pearls" is credited with taking the Indonesian League also-ran
and making them contenders -- and then champions.

The Jayapura mayor took over the reins in 2001, when Persipura
were threatened with relegation from the league. He immediately
began making difficult, sometimes unpopular decisions in his
ambition to make the team worthy of its promise.

"I thought Persipura was very unfortunate and wondered what
was wrong with the club," he recalled.

Officials failing to make a positive contribution to the team
were let go; players known for being drunks and slackers were
shown the door and recruitment was made more professional.

Foreign players were hired, put under contract and salaries
were raised. The hiring of foreigners was particularly
contentious, with gripes that there was no need to bring in
outsiders with a local pool of talent.

"It's indeed very expensive but cost must never be a barrier
to the quest for achievement," the native of Sorong, Papua said.

The tough reforms have paid off; although the team was 13th in
the 10th edition of the league in 2004, it triumphed over Persija
Jakarta in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Sept. 25 in a nail-biting
3-2 finish to become champion.

For this year's league, Kambu recruited five foreign players
and appointed Rahmad Dharmawan -- a former coach of Persikota
Tangerang.

"Pak Kambu braved public controversy because Persipura had
been against hiring non-Papuan players, having confidence in the
skills of locals. But the team always came unstuck in the main
division," said club secretary Iwan Nazaruddin.

Persipura notched a runner-up finish in the second Indonesian
League in 1996, but then it started to unravel. Kambu blames the
nepotistic attitude of former officials, who would hire their own
relatives and fiercely opposed bringing in foreigners.

Now that Persipura is the champion, the criticism of his
daring measures have been replaced by praise. When the Persipura
11 arrived at the Sentani Airport in Jayapura after their win,
Kambu was warmly welcomed as a hero.

It's been a very auspicious year for the Kambus. Apart from
Kambu's reelection on July 27 and Persija's victory, his two
children, Hans and Agustina, have finished their medical and law
studies respectively while Persipura is now atop the ranks of
Djarum National League 2005.

Kambu, 52, believes in the importance of faith, including on
the soccer pitch.

"Don't forget to pray, that's what pak Kambu always advises
his players to do," said Persipura player Jack Komboy, noting
that a prayer service was conducted at the team's hotel before
the final last month.

"While Persija relied on a large number of supporters,
Persipura has faith in God."

Kambu likened the match against Persija to a David-and-Goliath
contest, but now he wants to turn the former minnow into a
national giant to be reckoned with on the regional scene.

Other winners of the Indonesian League who have qualified for
the Asian Champions series have lost in a flood of goals.

"My aim is to make Persipura far better than previous national
teams, at least by minimizing the score in our goal," he said.