I am dying slowly - Ali Jarrah

Former Ghanaian goalkeeper Ali Jarah has expressed his frustration on the continual neglect by all and sundry adding that he is gradually dying out of pain.

Ali Jarah was only weeks away from signing a professional contract with German club side Cologne when by a strange twist of fate, his world came crashing down.

His movement was impaired by a waist problem that had previously not been detected. His dream of becoming a top professional was shattered and his means of livelihood disappeared.

Despite the psychological trauma and difficulties he encountered in the immediate aftermath of his disability, Jara did not recoil into his shell as he set up Ghana’s first modern goalkeeping academy as his way of giving back to the community he lived in and society at large.

But till date, the ace goalkeeper in a post on his Facebook wall, expressed his frustration over the neglect by not only the nation but those he used to call friends and loved ones.

Below is the full text of Ali Jarah’s message to all.

“I just wanted to share this with friends. Life has never treated me fairly; siblings and friends have also never treated me fairly. Those you treat well will turn their backs on you. Why will people judge you with your disability and turn their backs on you?

“This world is a journey, why will people suffer and toil which it’s no fault of them. Friends and brothers who are supposed to comfort that fellow neglects him. This is a little story I have to share with you, friends.”

“I started as a footballer (goalkeeper to be specific) I’ve played 3 juvenile World Cups and 1 African cup of nations. I’ve won one juvenile world cup, two silvers and one African cup of nations. I also played for Accra Hearts of Oak. I won all the 3 awards in the 1992/1993 season. I got paralyzed in 1993.”

“I started training goalkeepers to give back to the society, which I’ve helped over 30 goalkeepers to be in the premiership and the national teams both male and female. I coach people with disability; I’ve been able to help 7 amputees to play in Turkey.”

“Why is it that I’ve been able to change peoples’ lives and no one cares about me? I am dying slowly.” Ministers, Philanthropists, FA, parliamentarians can’t they came to my aid. In Ghana if you don’t have a push you can’t survive.”

“Day in and out, I am heading towards my grave. They will wait till I die before they remember me. If I got paralyzed at 17 dying for my nation, what does the nation expects me to do now after 23 years?

I leave this to the world to judge. You can share my little story amongst friends and brothers so they know. When I die, I died because of pain”.