West Sumbawa, April 28, 2025 - Gibran Zaky's heart still pounds strongly every time he steps onto the football field. For this young man from West Sumbawa Regency (KSB), football is not just a hobby—it's a dream he has held tightly since childhood.
There, amidst simplicity, he gazed at the television screen, watching the heroes of the football field battle it out. The figure of Ricky Kambuaya, a national team player who also hails from Eastern Indonesia, ignited his spirit. "I imagine being able to play in Indonesian 1st league so that my fellow villagers can watch me on TV," he said, a simple but deeply ingrained aspiration.
Information about the Football Fellowship scholarship program from PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (AMMAN) and PSS Sleman was like an oasis in the midst of thirst. He diligently underwent training after training, guided by his uncle, who is also a coach. "I kept training hard so that I could be selected," he recalled. A simple yet determined hope: to break into the PSS Sleman U-16 Elite Pro Academy (EPA). A gateway to a dream that had only blossomed in his imagination.
The journey to the initial gateway of the PSS Sleman U-16 EPA was full of struggle and discipline. In 2023, he participated in a rigorous selection held by PSS Sleman in KSB, along with nearly 400 other participants. From hundreds of talented children, only 12 were chosen to receive the Football Fellowship scholarship—a golden opportunity to train directly at PSS Sleman, and Zaky was one of them.
For a year, he trained hard while completing his junior high school education in Sleman. His efforts and dedication finally yielded sweet and proud results. Zaky, along with Muhammad Nabil Fitrah—his fellow villager from KSB—successfully broke into the PSS Sleman U-16 EPA, competing with young talents from all over Indonesia. Now, while continuing their education in high school, they strengthen PSS Sleman in the Liga 1 Youth, carrying hopes and dreams that continue to grow in the world of football.
Under the guidance of PSS Sleman coaches, Zaky not only honed his playing technique. He was also forged in terms of tactics and mentality. Discipline in maintaining a diet, getting enough rest, and hard training became mandatory routines to maintain spirit and motivation throughout the long and challenging league season.
"Alhamdulillah, it feels very happy, and my parents are also proud," he said with sparkling eyes. In the 18 matches he has played, Zaky has recorded goals and assists against big teams such as Arema U-16, Borneo, Persib Bandung, PSIS Semarang, and Persis Solo. Each match is proof: that hard work, composure, and discipline can bring dreams closer to reality.
The Role of AMMAN and Football Fellowship: Opening Paths for the KSB Generation
The Football Fellowship program initiated by AMMAN and PSS Sleman has become an important bridge in Zaky's journey and that of other young people from KSB. This program is not just about football scholarships. It is part of AMMAN's efforts in Sports for Development—using sports to develop character, build discipline, and open opportunities for the younger generation towards a brighter future.
Through rigorous selection, professional training, and educational support in Sleman, AMMAN provides a golden opportunity for KSB children to develop not only as athletes but also as resilient individuals with a champion's mentality. "This program has changed me so that I can play in the EPA Liga 1 Indonesia competition," he said.
More than just Zaky, this program has also produced achievements from other KSB children, such as Ferdiansyah, Wahyu Dinata, Aqmal Irdan, Muhammad Iqram, and Anugerah Rizkih—creating a new wave of inspiration in West Sumbawa. "I am also very happy and grateful that we can develop together, process together, and in the future, we will enjoy the results of that hard work," he added.
For Zaky, the 'Sports for Development' program promoted by AMMAN has a very deep meaning for the younger generation in KSB. It is a platform to measure abilities, stay away from negative influences, and most importantly, provide hope for a brighter future.
Zaky's dream does not stop at the Liga 1 EPA. He has a higher long-term target: to play at the professional level and one day, defend the Red and White in the Indonesian National Team. "My hope is still the same, of course, to play in Liga 1 Indonesia," he hoped.
Gibran Zaky's story is a reflection of the power of dreams, the resilience of struggle, and the beauty of gratitude. From the remote corners of KSB, through the AMMAN and PSS Sleman Football Fellowship program, he proves that with unwavering determination and relentless hard work, island boundaries can be crossed and sky-high dreams can be achieved. He is not just a football player but also a symbol of hope for the younger generation in his homeland.
