Jose Maurico “Magic” Merino lost his left leg to a landmine during the war. His story was published in one of the local papers today (El Diario del Hoy). Magic and his teammates are all amputees. They have been practicing together for years and already hold three world championship titles. Ex-military playing alongside ex-guerilla, this team of survivors is preparing for the World Championship game in Brazil this October.
La Red de Sobrevivientes, along with other national organizations including UCADFA, have been long time supporters of the Salvadoran Amputee Soccer Association (ASFA). This fall the entire country will be calling on the Magic of the team, and the endurance and skill of its players, as they compete with eight other countries for the world championship.
I’ll have the opportunity to meet with the team, watch them practice, and interview some of the players this Friday afternoon….more updates on this team of survivors coming soon!
