It was November 19, 2022. A video of a young boy playing football had gone viral across the country. All who saw the video were awestruck by the determination and courage of the boy who stood out from his fellow footballers.
Seven-year-old Ali Shavan from Haa Dhaal Makunudhoo island was born with one leg. He did not have the part below his right thigh and his left toes were syndactylous. But that did not stop him from following his dreams.
“I hope Shavan gets a prosthetic leg soon,” Makunudhoo MP Mohamed Raai tweeted with the video.
Six months after the video went viral, Shavan is now recovering from surgery. The youth ministry and National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) provided assistance to get a prosthetic leg and a running blade.
Shavan with his mother.
“He is able to walk on both legs now. Doctors advised him to exercise for one hour daily. So he walks and runs every day,” his mother Aishath Vishaah told Adhadhu.
Vishaah said her son is optimistic and wishes to go back to playing football - but this time with both legs.
“We were invited to visit Addu after the video went viral. When we got there, Dhagandey came and met Shavan. He encouraged him to do his best,” Vishaah said, referring to Maldives' legendary footballer Ali Ashfaq.
Shavan’s family traveled to India for the surgery in January and stayed there for four months to do physiotherapy. They have to go back next month for a follow-up visit. Shavan hopes he will get the green light to begin football training afterward.
Vishaah thanked everyone who has provided assistance, prayed and encouraged her son. If Shavan succeeds in his training, he will be the Maldives' first athlete with a prosthetic leg and an inspiration to many.
