The ballroom of Hotel Horison Kotaraja was alive with a sense of destiny. Lights glimmered against red-and-black banners, the unmistakable colors of Persipura Jayapura, as players, officials, fans, and community leaders gathered for a moment that felt much larger than a team presentation. This was not merely the unveiling of a football squad. It was a statement of revival, an emotional declaration that the “Mutiara Hitam”—the Black Pearls of Papua—are ready to rise again.
For a club that once dominated Indonesian football with four Liga 1 titles and consistent continental appearances, the past few years in Liga 2 have been a humbling chapter. Yet, on this night, as the squad of 36 players was introduced one by one, a wave of pride swept through the room. Persipura was not just launching a team; it was launching a mission—to reclaim its throne in Indonesian football and restore joy to millions of Papuan hearts.
The Ceremony: More Than Football
The official launch carried a ceremonial weight that went beyond sports. Club Chairman Benhur Tomi Mano (BTM) delivered a rousing speech that reminded everyone of the symbolic value of Persipura. His words were not directed only to the players in the room but to the entire Papuan people:
“Every time you put on this jersey, remember, it carries the hopes of millions. Play with your heart, play with your soul, and bring honor back to Persipura.”
The crowd erupted in applause, not because of lofty promises, but because of the truth behind them. Persipura’s red and black colors are woven into Papua’s cultural identity. For decades, the club has been a unifying force in a land often defined by its struggles.
Manager Owen Rahadiyan reinforced this message with a promise of professionalism. He spoke about restructuring the club into a modern, transparent, and sustainable organization. With the new partnership between Persipura and PT Nusantara Cenderawasih Karsa, the club is taking steps to ensure financial stability, proper talent development, and long-term planning. For fans who had worried about uncertainty in recent years, the partnership felt like a breath of fresh air.
The Squad: Familiar Faces, New Energy
The presentation of the squad was the centerpiece of the night. As names were called, fans cheered louder for familiar legends like Boaz Solossa, Yustinus Pae, Ian Louis Kabes, and Ramai Rumakiek—players who have carried the Persipura badge in good times and bad.
The full roster of 36 players, announced in official releases, spans across goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and strikers.
- Goalkeepers: Samuel Reimas, Adzib Al Hakim, John Pigai, Yeremia Merauje, Geril Kapoh.
- Defenders: Yustinus Pae, Ruben Sanadi, Alex Dusay, Artur Vieira (Brazil), and others.
- Midfielders: Takuya Matsunaga (Japan), Rivaldo Ferre, Elfis Harewan, Todd Ferre, and more.
- Forwards: Boaz Solossa, Feri Pahabol, Ramai Rumakiek, Matheus Silva (Brazil), and Reno Salampessy.
The mix is deliberate: experienced leaders who know what it means to wear the Persipura shirt, young Papuan prospects eager to prove themselves, and a handful of foreign players who bring technical quality.
Eleven Stories That Define This Squad
A feature from Jubi.id highlighted 11 fascinating insights that make this team unique. These aren’t just statistics; they are human stories that reveal why Persipura matters.
- The Papuan Heartbeat
Except for three foreign players—Matheus Silva and Artur Vieira from Brazil, plus Japanese midfielder Takuya Matsunaga—the rest of the squad is Papuan. This is not only a football strategy but also a cultural statement: Persipura is, and always will be, the pride of Papua.
- The Return of Relegation Survivors
Ten players from the 2021–2022 squad that suffered relegation are back. Rather than being a reminder of failure, their return is framed as redemption. They know the pain of going down, and they want to be the architects of Persipura’s comeback.
- Ian Kabes: Two Decades of Loyalty
Midfielder Ian Louis Kabes has worn the Persipura jersey for 21 years straight—a rarity in modern football. His loyalty makes him the heartbeat of the locker room, a living symbol of perseverance.
- The Legendary Boaz Solossa
No name echoes louder in Papua than Boaz Solossa. With more than 200 goals for Persipura, his career is the stuff of legend. Though in his twilight years, his leadership on and off the pitch is invaluable. Fans see him not only as a player but as an icon of Papuan resilience.
- All-Papuan Goalkeepers
For the first time in the professional era, Persipura will rely exclusively on Papuan goalkeepers. It’s a decision that reinforces faith in local talent and creates opportunities for future stars.
- Brazilian Steel and Flair
The addition of Artur Vieira in defense and Matheus Silva in attack represents a calculated gamble. Brazilian players have historically thrived in Indonesia, and their presence brings a balance of toughness and creativity.
- A Jersey Made at Home
Through Cenderawasih Karsa Apparel, Persipura is producing its own jerseys. At the launch, 100 units were sold in just 10 minutes—proof of the club’s commercial potential and the emotional bond fans have with their colors.
- Kapal Api Joins as Sponsor
For the first time, national coffee giant Kapal Api appears on the Persipura shirt. Alongside Elpi Shipping and potential indigenous Papuan SMEs, the club is diversifying its financial backers.
- Footballing Bloodlines
Three players carry the torch of family heritage:
- Reno Salampessy, son of coach Ricardo Salampessy.
- Dennis Augusto Ivakdalam, son of legend Eduard Ivakdalam.
- Yermia Stenly Merauje, son of former goalkeeper Fison Merauje.
For fans, this continuity is emotional proof that Persipura is more than a team—it is a family.
- Ruben Sanadi: The Promotion Magnet
Veteran defender Ruben Sanadi has won promotion with two different clubs in consecutive seasons. His return to Persipura is seen as a good omen.
- New Stars in Liga 2
Big names like Todd Ferre and Marckho Merauje, long associated with Liga 1, will be experiencing Liga 2 for the first time. Their hunger to perform in new territory could be decisive.
Persipura’s Cultural Role
To understand Persipura is to understand Papua. The club is not just a football entity; it is the stage where Papuan identity, pride, and unity play out. In a region often marked by political tension and economic struggles, Persipura has been a source of inspiration and joy. Victories on the pitch have translated into celebrations in villages, towns, and cities across the province.
When Persipura lifts a trophy, it is not just a sporting achievement—it is a cultural triumph. That is why the launch of this squad carried so much meaning. Every fan in attendance, and every supporter watching from afar, saw this as more than the start of a football season. They saw it as the rekindling of a dream.
The Road Ahead
The Liga 2 season will not be easy. Competition is fierce, and promotion requires consistency. But Persipura has set its target clearly: return to Liga 1. The mixture of experience, local pride, and professional restructuring provides a strong foundation.
Coach Ricardo Salampessy and his staff now shoulder the responsibility of transforming this diverse squad into a cohesive, winning team. Every training session will be a test of discipline, and every match will carry the weight of expectation.
Conclusion
The 2025–2026 season is not just another chapter in Persipura Jayapura’s history. It feels like the beginning of a new book. A book where old legends like Boaz, Kabes, and Pae write their final heroic pages, while young talents like Rumakiek and Ferre prepare to carry the torch into the future.
As the fans left the launch ceremony, many carried new jerseys, some with Boaz’s name, others with Rumakiek’s. But more than anything, they carried hope—the hope that Persipura will rise again, not just to play, but to inspire, to unite, and to remind Indonesia why the Black Pearls remain eternal.