Determined to Support Her Son's Dream, Enyk Endured a 19-Hour Truck Ride to Accompany the Surabaya Goalkeeper at the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026.
KUDUS — Amid the roar of the crowd filling the stands at Supersoccer Arena (SSA) in Kudus, another compelling story emerged during the MilkLife Soccer Challenge (MLSC) All Stars 2026. Behind every save made by All Stars Surabaya goalkeeper Ainur Fitriani lies the dedication of a mother who made an arduous journey to ensure her daughter felt the support of her family in person.
The national girls' soccer tournament, held from June 23–28, 2026, served as more than just a platform for young athletes to prove their skills; it also highlighted the family sacrifices that are an inseparable part of an athlete's pursuit of excellence.
As the tournament reached the quarter-finals, the atmosphere at SSA Kudus intensified. However, for 41-year-old Enyk Suharmanik, the match outcome was not her only focus. She was there to watch her third daughter stand between the goalposts, anchoring the hopes of the All Stars Surabaya squad.
Reaching Kudus was no small feat. From her home in Pacar Keling, Tambaksari, Surabaya, Enyk chose a modest method of travel to remain by her daughter’s side. Accompanied by her elderly mother and two of her other children, she traveled by riding in a truck driven by her older brother, who works as a commercial driver.
“We left on Monday at 3 p.m. and arrived at the SSA on Tuesday at 10 a.m. It was a 19-hour journey in total,” Enyk said on the sidelines of the match.
Spending dozens of hours inside a truck cabin, punctuated by stops for cargo loading and unloading, did not dampen her resolve. To her, the long trip was a necessary part of supporting Ainur.
“My brother is a truck driver and his route passes through Kudus, so it worked out perfectly. It helped us save on costs so we could be here to cheer for Ainur in person,” she added with a sincere smile.
The family’s dedication didn't end upon reaching Kudus. They rented a room near the venue for the duration of the week-long tournament, ensuring they would not miss any of Ainur’s performances.
"We walk from our boarding house to the stadium every day. We don't want to miss any of Ainur's matches. We want her to feel that our prayers and support are always with her," said Enik.
For Ainur Fitriani, her family's presence in the stands carries far more significance than just moral support; their warmth serves as a source of encouragement that helps her maintain focus under competitive pressure.
"It is truly wonderful to have my family on the sidelines. It is a huge encouragement for me to play with more focus," said the daughter of Enyk Suharmanik and Ribut Gunawan.
Ainur’s journey in football began in fourth grade when she joined a futsal extracurricular program. Although she does not come from a family of athletes, she has grown up with the full backing of her parents, who have consistently provided her with the opportunity to train and refine her skills.
Ainur maintains a disciplined training regimen, combining team practices with independent sessions to continuously improve her technique and physical condition. This consistency paid off when she helped her school team win the MilkLife Soccer Challenge Surabaya Series 2 in the under-12 category, where she was also named Best Goalkeeper for her decisive saves.
That performance earned her a spot with the Surabaya All Stars for the MilkLife Soccer Challenge All Stars 2026, where she helped lead the team to the quarterfinals.
Behind these achievements, the family's dedication highlights that a young athlete's journey is rarely a solitary one. Parental and family support manifests in many forms, ranging from investing time and effort to enduring long travel to stand by their children as they compete on the field.
The story of Enyk and Ainur illustrates how youth competitions not only cultivate young female football talent across various regions but also highlight the role of family as a vital foundation in athlete development. Every match at the MilkLife Soccer Challenge All Stars 2026 carries a story of hope, unity, and the family commitment that grows alongside the players' pursuit of their dreams on the pitch. (JMY/mainkekudus)
