Tsunami Survivor Gets Signed By Sporting Lisbon's Academy Where Ronaldo Began His Career
Sporting Lisbon say they want to work on Martunis's development 'as a human being and as a man'.
By Sadho Ram — 03 Jul 2015, 01:37 PM
An Indonesian tsunami survivor, found wearing a Portugal shirt some 21 days after his home was destroyed in the 2004 disaster, has been signed by Sporting Lisbon's academy. Martunis, now 17, survived for nearly three weeks on dried noodles and puddle water before he was found, rescued and reunited with his father and grandfather. The tsunami killed his mother and two sisters.
Sporting Lisbon have signed tsunami survivor Martunis to their academy, 11 years on from the disaster.
Image via Mail OnlineMartunis, now 17, was unveiled in the Portuguese capital having pursued his dream in spite of the desolation brought on by the disaster that hit his home in Indonesia on Boxing Day 2004.
The giant waves, caused by an earthquake in the Indian Ocean, killed 230,000 people across 14 countries and separated the young boy from his family and leaving him to live off some noodles he had found and water from puddles.
His plight drew attention around the world and he was flown to meet the Portugal team before a match against Slovakia in 2005
The young Indonesian survivor looks up at the World Cup as it made a tour around the world in March 2006
Image via Mail OnlineThe seven-year-old's home was rebuilt with money sent by the Portuguese FA and raised by Ronaldo's fundraising efforts before he met his hero three years later.
He is said to have always dreamed of becoming a professional footballer and the move to Sporting is the next step on that path.
'My favourite hobby is playing football,' Martunis said in 2008. 'I don't like other sports. It's fun. My grandfather was a footballer. I want to be a footballer when I grow up.'
'I let him play football in the afternoon,' his father Sarbini said. 'I ask him to go to school, learn to read the Koran and attend an English course.
'I want him to be a clever boy with a bright future. I don't want him to end up like me who did not have a proper education. I hope he gets a good job in the future.
'I will be very proud if he enjoys a good life or becomes a professional footballer.'
Cristiano Ronaldo, who began his career at Sporting, later flew out to Indonesia to meet him after hearing his story and, according to The Guardian, financed his education
Speaking about Martunis, Ronaldo said that he believed not many adults would have survived the ordeal that Martunis went through
Martunis told Ronaldo that his wish was to walk the same path that Ronaldo had and become a professional footballer. "I am very happy to have joined Sporting. It is a dream come true," said Martunis, who is known simply by his first name, on the club website.
“Martunis will work at the academy,” said Sporting’s president, Bruno de Carvalho. “We will work with him also in his development as a human being and as a man.”
theguardian.com