AS a graduate of Diklat Salatiga, an elite football academy that has produced many Indonesian national team stars, Gendut Doni Christiawan became one of the most prolific strikers of his era. Born on December 7, 1978, in Salatiga, Central Java, his journey in football was filled with determination and hard work.
Gendut shared the unique story behind his name.
The name ‘Gendut’ was given to me when I was a kid. My real name is just Doni, but I was often sick when I was little. I had a lung infection and was really skinny. So, my parents changed my name to Gendut, which means ‘healthy’.
But the name became a source of ridicule.
My friends in school used to make fun of me because ‘Gendut’ also means ‘fat’. When I played football as a kid, they would yell, ‘Gendut! Can a fat guy even play football?’ But in the end, the name turned out to be a blessing. Now, I’m healthy, and I became a professional footballer.
Gendut had shown great football potential from a young age. Living near the Diklat Salatiga academy sparked his interest in joining. However, getting in was no easy feat.
I was still in junior high when I first tried out. I took the selection test three times, but I failed every time.
Diklat only had around 25 players at a time. Every year, they would only admit new players to replace those who had graduated. Meanwhile, over 300 players applied each year.
After three failed attempts, Gendut finally secured his spot.
I got in during high school. Our daily routine was tough—training at 5 AM, finishing at 6, then heading straight to school. In the afternoon, we trained again at 4 PM. That was every single day.
Joining Diklat Salatiga was a stepping stone to a professional career, both at club and national team levels.
Back then, Diklat was essential because it was the main pathway to becoming a pro footballer. Clubs prioritized Diklat graduates.
It was here that Gendut honed his skills as a sharp and efficient striker. Other notable alumni from Diklat Salatiga include Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto and Bambang Pamungkas—players who would go on to be key figures in the Indonesian national team during the 1990s and 2000s.
After graduating from Diklat Salatiga, Gendut took his first step into professional football with PSIS Semarang in the 1998-1999 season. Though he didn’t get much playing time, his potential caught the attention of Persijatim Jakarta, which signed him in 1999. At Persijatim, he was given more opportunities as a starting striker, and his sharp finishing soon attracted the interest of Persija Jakarta, a club that was building a powerhouse squad at the time. With Persija, Gendut delivered an impressive performance, scoring 25 goals in 44 appearances.
After two seasons with Persija, Gendut played for several top Indonesian clubs, including Persikota Tangerang, Persebaya Surabaya, and Persib Bandung. Throughout his club career, he recorded a total of 301 appearances and 117 goals.
Gendut’s peak moment came when he represented the Indonesian national team, particularly in the 2000 Tiger Cup (now the AFF Cup). Initially, he was only called up as a backup, replacing Bambang Pamungkas, who was unavailable. However, Gendut exceeded expectations, scoring five goals in the tournament and becoming the joint top scorer alongside Thailand’s Worrawoot Srimaka. One of his most unforgettable performances was scoring twice in the semifinal against Vietnam, leading Indonesia to the final. Unfortunately, Indonesia had to settle for second place after losing to Thailand.
After retiring as a player, Gendut stayed involved in football. He worked as an assistant coach for Bhayangkara FC until 2024, helping to develop Indonesia’s next generation of footballers. His journey from struggling to get into Diklat Salatiga to becoming a national team star, continues to inspire young players who dream of becoming top strikers.
I truly hope Indonesian football will keep producing the best talents. We need more football academies like Diklat Salatiga to nurture future players who can bring glory to our national team.
