There is no doubt that Oktovianus Maniani was one of the more exciting players to come out of the recently concluded AFF Suzuki Cup 2010.
But the speedy winger, who earned his place in Alfred Riedl’s squad following the absence of Boaz Salossa, almost did not make the Indonesian national squad had it not been for the artful intervention of one Ferry Rotinsulu.
Just as his name suggests, the 20-year-old Okto seems to have an automatic inclination to burst into one of his instinctive run down the flanks to catch defenders unaware – using his speed and physique to full effect.
And it is for this reason that Riedl did not hesitate to use the Persipura man in a triumvirate alongside Cristian Gonzales and Irfan Bachdim to spearhead the Indonesuan attack.
Okto was born into a family whose roots were deeply entrenched to the sea and in fishing where the daily exposure to the beating sun and the sand prodded his development as a player who is full of speed and dexterity.
Not one to shirk his responsibility, Okto struggled at a young age alongside his parents – Benyamin Maniani and Dorce Maniani – daily with the harsh waves at Hamidi beach in Papua in eking out a living.
From the age of ten years old, Okto followed his parents to the sea while at the same time, the youngster also struggled with the draw of the game he has grown to love so much – football.
And while he spent much of his time at sea in his early years, he still managed to find the time for a kick about with his friends from the village keeping long hours out till the night.
“Other than football, I also love fishing as after all my family survive on what the sea gives. I have been helping my parents since I was very young,” said Okto.
“One day my father just asked if I wanted to follow him and I immediately said yes. My job at the start was just to take the water out of the boat. And then to the market to sell the fish we caught. And of course after that play football.”
The Amadai sea, the market and also the football field were to be the daily rotation for Okto when he was growing up with education taking a back seat somewhat.
Having to go to the sea in the early morning and then football till late evening, Okto found solace and inspiration from former Indonesian international Elie Aiboy who is his idol.
“We actually live in the same area in Amadi. He actually stays near the football field I played in, so each time I wanted to play football, I will be near him. He is my all-time favourite player.”
Okto’s first club was with a youth development team called Tunas Muda Amadi and since he first took to the team colours, he already felt the natural call of wanting to be a professional footballer.
“My parents were very supportive of the idea of me being a professional as long as I’m motivated to be one. But at the time, it was tough to buy even a pair of football boots as my sisters were all insisting that I should go to school instead. But for me, I was only thinking of either the market or the football field,” he added.
Okto’s first real football boots was a gift from William Bonsafia – the chief coach of Porseni Wilayah Jayapura.
“He was the one who guided me since I was just eight years old from the time I do not know anything about football. He was also the one who had guided Imanuel Wanggai. We played together when we were young,” said Okto.
Even though Okto was at the bench when his Porseni Selatan team emerged champions in 2000, still that winning edge must have rubbed off on the youngster.
“I was called by PLPP Papua in 2003 to follow a tournament between classes. I was 13-years-old then but I was roped into the Indonesia Under-17 team which was under Iwan Setiawan and his assistant Aji Santoso. At the same time too, I was in the national U18 and the Persipura U23 team,” explained Okto.
But just when things seem to be heading in the right direction as far as his career was concerned, Okto suddenly disappeared and went back to Papua in 2006.
“I went back to help my parents. I went home because the team felt that I have not improved my performance and also there were no competitions,” said Okto.
But the same year that he returned home, he was approached by PSPS Sarmi from Division III Papua Zone but once again he faced uncertainty when he was benched for much of the season.
“I still went fishing as usual although I still trained on the beach when I feel like it. A year later my uncle John Managasi who is the doctor for the U18 team, asked me to attend trials with PS Asmat, Merauke (Divisi III zona Papua),” added Okto.
From here, Okto went on to fortify the Papua team for PON (Indonesia Games) 2008 with the best moment being his dream of playing alongside his idol Elie Aiboy.
“In the one year that I played for PSMS Medan, I was playing on the left flank while Bang Elie played on the right. It was a dream,” said an elated Okto.
Okto then requested for a transfer to Persidafon and Persitara which was to be his club until the latter’s relegation from the Indonesia Super League (ISL) which saw Okto’s future hanging in the balance once again.
He attended trials for Persipura but was overlooked because of his perceived lack of experience while the offer from Arema Malang was not good enough.
But help then came in the form of Sriwijaya FC keeper Ferry Rotinsulu, who came in and saved Okto’s career from the unknown. From then on, he never looked back.
“I called Ferry (Rotinsulu) and he told me that the coach (Ivan Kolev) was looking for players. Kolev wanted to see me in two trials but after the first day, he was already satisfied and we signed the contract.”
Alfred Riedl then pushed Okto’s career a notch higher by including him for the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010.
“I am happy with what I’ve achieved thus far although the lack of silverware is a bit disappointing. It is important that I realised where I come from and that all this achievements do not change my character. If it does, then it can spell trouble for me,” added Okto, who hopes to meet Brazilian Ronaldo one day.
