TEMPO.CO, Banda Aceh - Martunis, 18, from Aceh, was invited to train and study in Sporting Lisbon, an elite Portuguese football club based in Lisbon, on June 28. Since then, Martunis has called his father, Sarbini, in Aceh twice.
In the phone conversations, Sarbini told his son to be serious in undergoing his training. “Martunis said: yes. I don’t know how long he will be there. Some say six months, others say one year,” Sarbini told Tempo on Tuesday.
Sarbini and Martunis have been living at Tibang Village, Syiah Kuala District, Banda Aceh. Their simple house is located exactly at their old house, which was destroyed by the tsunami in December 24, 2004.
Martunis was invited to practice football in Sporting Lisbon. He was facilitated by the Portuguese Embassy in Jakarta to realize his wish to train in the club that brought up football star Cristiano Ronaldo.
Martunis’ closeness with the team began when tsunami hit Aceh on December 26, 2004. Martunis survived after being adrift at sea for 19 days wearing Portuguese football national team uniform.
Martunis was found by residents and handed over to a British television reporter. His picture then made headline worldwide and cause Portugal to sympathize and help him.
ADI WARSIDI
