Sad story: Ex-Ghana goalie hints of ending his life due to frustrations

Published on: 23 August 2015

By: Sheikh Tophic Sienu

Ex-Ghana and Accra Hearts of Oak international goalie Ali Jarrah has sadly given hints of ending his life due to frustrations he is going through after his football career was truncated abruptly due to an injury he sustained in 1993.

The ex-national goalie who was since paralysed after that injury has given hints on his facebook wall of ending his frustrations after being neglected by friends and family in particular and the nation as a whole.

Narrating his ordeal on his facebook wall, the ex-Black Stars goalie wrote:

"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 its no fault of them?

"Friends and brothers who are supposed to comfort you neglect you. This is a little story I have to share with you friend".

"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 paralysed in 1993. I started training goalkeepers to give back to the society, which I've help over 30 goalkeepers to be in the premiership and the nation team both male and females.

"I coach people with disability. I've been able to help 7 amputee's to play in Turkey. Why is it that I've been able to change peoples lives and no one cares about me? Am dying slowly.

Ministers, Philanthropists, The 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 am heading towards my grave. Will they wait till I die before they remember me?

"If I got paralyzed at 17 dying for my nation, what do 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 that when I die I died because of pain.

Comments

  • saeed
    says: 9 years ago
    I read the story of ali is pain and anguish, but it slso remind about the arguement that footballers should not be paid lump bonuses because they are playing for nation and also marketing themselves. To the best of my knowledge out of the 25 or so players who participate at the continental tournies just less than a hand full get the international call-ups to earn those fat salaries. We in ghana compare what USA or south africa pay their players bonuses, but fail to to tell us when their players face life threatening job hazards like Alis's how they are treated in USA or South Africa. #ghanapaytheplayerswhattheydeserve#
  • yuss
    says: 9 years ago
    I think you should thank God for what you have now not what you dont have.I understand you even have a house.So please thank God for what you have or else if you kill your self you will go to hell.Am sorry
  • kwaku Buadu
    says: 9 years ago
    this is pathetic ........... plzz were re the football people...... isnt this part of our football....... i mean reaching out to people infact giving back to the society especially our ex stars......... hmmmmm.
  • Hayford Ankomah,united States-virginia
    says: 9 years ago
    Hmmmmm, very sad and touching. Should he die now, that's when all kinds of tribute will read about him. This world isn't fair. Ali jahraah,email me your number.
  • Benny
    says: 9 years ago
    this is very sad
  • pinto
    says: 9 years ago
    how come all the footballers in aborad don't have a society to put together to help their friends if they need help