On Goal Liberia

King Saah - Co-founder

King Saah, Ph.D.

Founder & Executive Director, On Goal Liberia

King Saah was born in Liberia, West Africa. At the age of four, he and his family were forced to flee to neighboring Côte d'Ivoire during Liberia's brutal civil war. Growing up as a refugee in Danané, King developed a passion for soccer while playing on dusty, makeshift fields. What began as a childhood passion would eventually shape his personal and professional journey and inspire his commitment to using sport as a tool for youth development and social change.

In 1999, King immigrated to the United States, settling in Philadelphia. He attended The Episcopal Academy, where he played four years of varsity soccer before continuing his athletic career at Cabrini University. At Cabrini, he was part of a team that won two conference championships. Following graduation, King spent a year volunteering in South Africa, an experience that strengthened his interest in international development and the power of sport to bring communities together.

King has spent much of his professional career working at the intersection of sport, education, and community development. He previously served as Head Varsity Soccer Coach at The Phelps School, where he led the program to three championships. He has also coached and worked with several youth soccer organizations throughout the Greater Philadelphia area.

Beyond coaching, King served as Executive Director of Street Soccer USA Philadelphia, where he established and expanded the program from the ground up, reaching more than 600 young people. His work included developing community partnerships, creating soccer opportunities for underserved youth, and helping establish soccer facilities in Philadelphia communities.

In 2017, King founded On Goal Liberia, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to creating opportunities for young people in Liberia through soccer, education, and leadership development. Drawing from his own experiences as a refugee and young soccer player, King established the organization to provide children with safe spaces to play, develop life skills, and pursue their potential. Since its founding, On Goal Liberia has reached more than 300 children and continues to expand its youth soccer programs, community leagues, and player development opportunities across Liberia.

King currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Sport Management at Framingham State University in Massachusetts, where he teaches courses in sport management and organizational behavior. His research focuses on leadership, organizational sustainability, and sport for development and peace (SDP), with particular attention to how individuals and organizations use sport to create meaningful social change. His scholarly work has been published in leading academic journals, including Sport Management Review and the Journal of Sport Management.

King earned his Ph.D. in Sport Management from Louisiana State University, where he was a Huel D. Perkins Fellow. He also holds a master's degree in Globalization and Development Communication from Temple University and a bachelor's degree from Cabrini University. His professional and academic experiences reflect his ongoing commitment to connecting research, practice, and community development.

Despite his many professional commitments, soccer remains central to King's life. A lifelong supporter of AC Milan, he firmly believes it is the greatest football club in history. Outside of academia and community work, King enjoys traveling, experiencing different cultures, and exploring the ways sport connects people across borders.

From the refugee camps of Côte d'Ivoire to the classrooms of higher education and soccer fields of Liberia, King's journey continues to shape his belief that every child, regardless of background or circumstances, deserves an opportunity to play, learn, lead, and dream.

Cooper Gweh - Co-founder

Johan Tiah - Head Coach