Giving Back Through Sport: How Melvin Coleman is Empowering Liberia’s Amputee Footballers

Photo: Liberia Men's Amputee National Team 

U.S.-based amputee soccer star Melvin "MVP" Coleman, who currently plays for the U.S. Amputee National Team, recently flew from Chicago with his family to support the Liberia Men’s Amputee National Team. During his visit to his birth country, Coleman made a significant donation of essential football equipment at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville. He collected donations along with Chicago Amputee Soccer Club and Your Foot, My Foot Foundation.

Video: Solomon Muntari Harmon

The contribution included 15 footballs, 38 pairs of cleats, 25 shin guards, 20 pairs of gloves, and an electric pump to help the team overcome ongoing resource challenges. "I owe a lot to Liberia, my birth country," Coleman shared, "This is my way of giving back to my country and helping others rise through sports".

On Christmas Day, Coleman took to the pitch at the Goba Chop field for a friendly match organized in his honor. Despite his side facing a narrow 4-3 defeat, Coleman put on an outstanding performance, netting one goal and providing several assists. After the match, Coleman praised the local players, calling them "warriors" and noting the incredible feeling of playing with his "brothers back home". Head coach Victor Benson and the leadership of the Liberia Amputee Football and Sport Association hailed the visit as a major boost, citing Coleman’s leadership and commitment as a true inspiration to young athletes in Liberia.

Video & Photos : Solomon Muntari Harmon