Former player still special to Duluth coach
By Robert Haddocks
Atlanta Journal Constitution - July 25, 2008
Soccer player Mohammed Dolleh is a long way from Liberia, where he spent his early years running away from rebels. He's found safety, but he's not out of the woods yet.
"Every time I wake up, it's on my mind. I'm living in kind of fear," Dolleh said.
One year after graduating from Duluth High, Dolleh hasn't yet been granted asylum. His work permit, which allows him to remain in the United States, expires in January. Dolleh expects to present his case to an immigration judge in January. The judge could renew his permit, grant him permanent resident status or deny his request, "and that comes with deportation," Dolleh said.
Dolleh, who lives with a brother in Alpharetta, doesn't want to return to his native land, where he saw both of his parents slaughtered by rebels and lived his life on the run. He wants to become a U.S. citizen and fulfill his dream of getting a college degree.
"That would allow me to live in no more fear, and I could go to college and not worry about anything and live a normal life," he said.
Life for Dolleh looked normal last week. He was in his element, playing the sport he loves —- soccer —- and teaching it to a bunch of eager, excitable kids at the camp of his former coach at Duluth, Gregg Tavani.
"The kids just love him," Tavani said. "He does a great job with the kids. This is Mo's second year at the camp and I guess he's more comfortable. He does a great job demonstrating, and it's like he has a magnetic personality. He's got a way with the kids. They enjoy being coached by him."
It's reciprocal. Working with the kids is "amazing," Dolleh said, and he says he learns something new from them every day. Dolleh, who grew up playing soccer on dirt roads, said it's great to see young kids playing organized soccer. "We never had those opportunities," he said.
Dolleh is getting paid to work the camp, but he would do it for free, he said, to repay Tavani for all he's done. Last year, Tavani led a concerted effort that resulted in the Georgia High School Association overturning its initial decision and allowing Dolleh to play soccer.
"He's like a big brother to me," Dolleh said of the coach. "Even after graduation, he still calls me and asks how I'm doing and making sure I stay on the right track. He's a big brother and a mentor."
Tavani said he tries to keep in touch with many of his former players. It's an obligation he feels as a teacher and a coach.
"But Mo, he's a special one," Tavani said. "He's had a pretty tough life. There's definitely a little different feeling because he doesn't have any parents and because he's a great young man."
Dolleh hopes he'll be granted permanent resident status and soon after he'd be able to apply for U.S. citizenship.
He and Tavani are still in contact with coaches at Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, where the player would like to enroll.
That is Dolleh's dream.
"I feel like education is the key to everything in life," he said. "Education should be a priority for every person.
"Once you have education, you'll be able to find your way in everything you want to do."
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