PERSIB Bandung captain Firman Utina dares you to dream!

Our partnership with FC PERSIB encouraged us to create a series of interviews with the most prominent players, as we want you to draw inspiration from people we have common values with.

The first one to share his secret motivation is Firman Utina, Defensive Midfielder and Persib Captain. 

Firman Utina was born on 15 December 1981 in the village Komo Luar, District Tikala, Manado, North Sulawesi, area famous for frequent floods. That's where Firman spent his childhood playing football. Being 15 year old, Firman divided his time between working as a car washer and playing football as a hobby. He saved all earned money to provide himself with football practice, sutiated far from home. 

Firman Utina had started his football career at the junior football club Indonesia Muda Manado and then moved to another club called Bina Taruna. Thank to his persistence to continue diligent practice, Firman became increasingly proficient in football. After his 3 year collaboration with Bina Taruna, he got recruited by Persma Junior, in a unique way - not through selection mechanisms like another players, but after he was able to score 12 goals in one game at a local club tournament in Manado. Intrigued by the success of one local striker who can score a dozen goals in one match, coach Beni Dollo immediately invited him to join with Persma. Without any doubt, Firman Utina accepted the proposal.

Continuously trained by Beni Dollo, Firman was showing increased progress. His determination to pursue a football career grew stronger with each practice, and that made Beni Dollo recruit Firman to every team he was coaching. That's how a nickname “Golden Boy” appeared. 

Like most other players, Firman Utina aspired to be a player of PERSIB Bandung. Because of that, he was pleased when Coach Djadjang Nurdjaman recruited him ahead of the Indonesian Super League (ISL) 2012/2013. Firman Utina said: “To join a great team is a dream of every player. PERSIB certainly is a great team, so, when the offer came, I didn't hesitate to accept it”.

Having a high cruising, nice skill, good vision and leadership qualities Firman Utina became a central figure in midfield PERSIB. Number 15 plans to stay in the world of football until the end of his life claiming to have a career as a coach when it's time to retire. Now he just wants to focus on playing football and do not have any sideline activities.

Follow your dreams with OctaFX - a proud sponsor of PERSIB Bandung FC.