EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, BEKASI – Another remarkable achievement has been recorded by a student of Muhammadiyah University of Indonesia (UMI). Boy Arnez Arabi, a national volleyball player popularly known as Boy, earned the Most Valuable Player award of the 2026 AVC Men’s Cup after leading the Indonesian National Team to victory over South Korea in the final match held at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, India, on Sunday (28/6).
The prestigious individual award completed Indonesia’s triumphant campaign, as the national team convincingly defeated South Korea in straight sets, 3–0 (34–32, 25–16, and 25–23). Boy’s outstanding performances throughout the tournament played a crucial role in Indonesia’s historic success on the international stage.
Speaking to the editorial team on Tuesday (30/6), Boy shared that his love for volleyball began at an early age, inspired and supported by his family. However, he only embarked on his professional career at the age of 18 when he joined the LavAni Volleyball Club.
“At the age of 18, I joined LavAni Volleyball Club. LavAni recruited me, and that was when I officially became a professional athlete,” Boy said.
For the proud son of Rantauprapat, North Sumatra, representing Indonesia has brought invaluable experiences. He has competed in numerous national and international tournaments, including representing Indonesia at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand.
According to Boy, one of the greatest challenges in competition is handling crucial moments that demand composure and a greater sense of responsibility.
“The most memorable moments are those crucial points where we have to take greater responsibility and think carefully about how to score,” he explained.
Balancing Athlete Life and Academics
Despite his demanding career as a professional athlete, Boy continues to pursue his university education. He expressed his appreciation to Universitas Muhammadiyah Indonesia for consistently supporting student-athletes and encouraging them to excel both academically and in sports.
“UMI is an educational institution that truly supports its athletes in continuing to grow. Balancing studies and a professional athletic career is certainly not easy, but it becomes possible with institutional support and good time management,” he said.
Indonesia’s championship victory at the 2026 AVC Men’s Cup, coupled with Boy’s recognition as the tournament’s MVP, demonstrates that academic pursuits and athletic excellence can go hand in hand. The achievement is not only a source of national pride but also a testament to Muhammadiyah’s commitment to nurturing outstanding individuals capable of competing on the global stage.
Boy’s success is expected to inspire Muhammadiyah’s younger generation to continue developing their talents, pursue ambitious dreams, and bring honor to Indonesia through excellence in their respective fields. (Bhisma)
