The Indonesian soccer team may have failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup in South Africa and probably none of our players will be in the African country as spectators, but football fans can be grateful that one of the country’s biggest soccer fans will be there in their stead.

In spite of the fact that he was never a professional soccer player, Darius has long been considered the face of soccer in the country, with his radiant and ever-smiling face greeting viewers whenever broadcasters bring live soccer matches to the small screen.

In fact, Darius’ shot to television prominence was largely the result of his stint as a TV host for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Hosting the program has also led to bigger things in his life. He hooked up with his present wife Donna Agnesia — also  a sportscaster — after the event and tied the knot soon after.

And now life completes a full circle for Darius as he will soon spend almost a month in South Africa with Donna and his first son Lionel Nathan Sinathrya Kartoprawiro. The couple has to leave their second son because the boy is too young for the long journey.

“I will fly to South Africa in mid June because I have been assigned by news channel TVOne to report on the World Cup there,” the 25 year old said.

And since the Indonesian team will not be there for him to cheer on, Darius is more than happy to give his loyalty to the national team of a foreign country.

A big fan of Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona, Darius expects Argentina will become champions in South Africa, given their remarkable achievement in international soccer history.

“I have a special emotional bond with Argentina,” he said. But he was quick to qualify his statement by saying that other teams such as Brazil, the Netherlands, Germany and England were also strong contenders to upset Argentina’s bid.

More than a sporting event, the South Africa World Cup will be a personal affair for him.

“Donna and I really understand the World Cup euphoria, because we met for the first time while we were hosting the World Cup on television. This is why we want to feel the atmosphere right where it all happens,” he said.

Darius said that he and Donna had bought tickets for two matches in Johannesburg and Cape Town. For sure, the couple was excited but they are concerned about the security conditions near the venues and in South Africa in general.

Donna said that she had collected enough relevant information from the Internet, including tips on healthy food for Lionel and potential health risks in the African country.

And given that they only have to present two matches per day, the couple will certainly have enough free time to see tourist attractions in the far-flung country.

Darius also strives to prove that he is more than a pretty face who landed in a television hosting job without knowing about a lot about sport.

He has loved sport since his early childhood. His passion for sport grew after learning more about individual sports like swimming and team sports such as soccer, basketball and volleyball, and even roller skating.

In fact, he has turned sports into a business for himself.

“I am also working in the futsal business as an event organizer. There will be a national futsal event after the World Cup, so now I’m also preparing for that,” said Darius, who also doubles as the manager of the Indonesian national futsal team.

And in between his hectic sports-related commitments, Darius manages to find time to do other things, including acting for local movie productions. Juggling the two worlds seems to be easy for him.

He starred in a number of Indonesian soap operas, or sinetron, before making his debut on the big screen in 2007. He played a member of a rock band in local flick D’Bijis, and worked alongside senior actor Deddy Mizwar in Naga Bonar (Jadi) 2. He has also acted in several horror films.

Last year, he joined the production of Merah Putih, a film about the country’s struggle for independence from the Dutch, in which he played a young soldier. Conceived as a trilogy, two sequels of the film are expected to hit theaters in the next two summers.

Darius said that he had just wrapped up productions of the two sequels and that the experience was one to remember.

“It was a great feeling being on the same location and reunited with fellow actors and crew who did the production for the first movie, and then completing the unfinished parts. We worked hard and I believe that the action scenes in the sequels are much better than the ones in the first,” he said.

Darius said he was grateful that in all of his films, he has played roles that have challenged him to produce his best.

 “There are a number of directors whom I want to work with, but I haven’t got any offers for new movies.

Maybe next year I will focus on one or two movies,” he said.

But his decision to cut back on the number of movie productions was also motivated by practical considerations. His schedule is simply packed.

Currently, he is hosting Super Family, the local version of ABC’s Family Feud, which airs everyday, five days a week. Other than that, Darius also accepts offer for hosting off-air television programs and working for sinetron and commercials.

 “Each job has its own challenge. Commercials for instance, they have more strings attached as I agree to work as their brand ambassador,” said Darius, who is contracted to promote a cosmetic product for men.

In spite of his lengthy spell in the entertainment industry, Darius admitted he is still learning the ropes.

And for someone who has been working in the industry for sometime, he remains modest. He does not even have a personal manager.

Although he and his wife both work in the entertainment industry, Darius does not consider his wife a rival.

“We support each other when it comes to work. In fact, we have been thinking about hosting a show together,” he said.

Ever a multitasker, Darius said he would continue to do what he is doing now, simply because he has managed to put his signature on so many mediums.

“I can’t divorce from soccer and it seems that my being the host for Super Family has been well-received by viewers. As for future movie projects, I’m still waiting for the right time and offer,” he said.

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