Taufan unsure of future despite sport victories

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): Vigor and confidence help Indonesian karateka Arif Taufan Syamsuddin excel in sports, but the bank clerk remains doubtful over his future when it comes to his job career.

Realizing that his golden years will soon be over, Taufan plans to continue his studies at the Makassar Institute of Economics in his hometown Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi.

"I should think of my future now. Today I am the star in the karate arena but when my era is over, nobody cares. So I won't be an athlete for life. One day I should stop fighting and give the opportunity to younger athletes," he said after winning the men's 60-kilogram division at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games here on Tuesday.

It was his second consecutive laurel in the SEA Games after his victorious debut in Jakarta two years ago. In between he crowned himself Asian Games champion in Bangkok last December.

He said he must finish his studies by the end of this year, otherwise he will lose his job.

His worries have increased since the government decided to merge Bank Dagang Negara, where he works, with three other state banks, into Bank Mandiri.

"I must follow the recruitment procedures from the start if I want to maintain my career in banking. I have to apply for the job at the new bank and pass a series of tests and interview for the job," he said.

The 24-year-old karateka says it will be hard for him to choose between the sport and his job commitments.

"Whenever my services are needed, I will be ready. But I wish FORKI (the Indonesian Karate-do Federation) could ask for privilege to attend the training program for me."

When retirement age comes, Taufan says he will never forget the role played by his former coach Ellong Tjandra, the man whom he says deserves all the credit for his flying career.

Every time Taufan walks out of the arena with a victory, the first thing he does is look for Ellong and give him a big hug.

"Pak Ellong trained both my father and me, when my father worked at the Wirabuana Military Command in Ujungpandang. I started training with him in 1990," he said.

Ellong was present on Tuesday to encourage his former prodigy, and received another hug from Taufan at the end of his bout.

Taufan says Ellong has accompanied him on all international competitions since 1996. The old master also witnessed, with a big smile on his face, Taufan win the gold medal and best performer in the 1999 Danish Open karate championship in Copenhagen last May. (ivy)