Tuesday April 6' 2004

Ethiopian soccer Olympic dream shattered

By Michael Samson

The dream of the Ethiopian Olympic national soccer team to be one of the four African representatives was shattered on the final away match when the home team crushed to a 2-1 defeat to its counterpart Uganda in Kampala.
Although it is a sad day for the Ethiopian soccer fans but the nation too is mourning the failure of the two African prides who took two Olympic gold medals in consecutive Olympic games. Nigeria the first African country to win Olympic soccer cup final and the reigning Sydney Olympic champions Cameroon surrendered to the new comers: Morocco, Ghana, Mali and Tunisia.
Seyoum Abate and his squad have failed the country dream of having a soccer presence in Athens, loosing 2-1 to the already out of qualification Uganda. The confident Ethiopian side was to trail 2-0 to most of the game before scoring the single yet good for nothing goal.
Morocco, host of the final match against Angola, won 2-0 in a deserted stadium for the usual soccer crowd had already given up hope on the Ethiopia team to defeat the group’s worst team Uganda, although the decisive match was in Kampala.
At the final count Morocco qualified for Athens Olympic Cup Final with 12 points, while Angola finished second, one point below Ethiopia who lost to Morocco, Angola in the same 4-0 result finished third with 9 points followed by bottom of the group Uganda with just 4 points. Now the Ethiopian soccer and one-step-from-historic-victory Seyoum Abate are back to business as usual.
The reigning champions Cameroon, favorite to represent Africa since the draw, stumbled out of the crown at the hands of rising African soccer country Malawi. The Cameroonians who settled the crucial home match against Democratic Congo in Yaoundé paid dearly after a 1-0 defeat in the final match. Mali are to represent Africa in the Olympic Cup Final for the first time.
The Atlanta Olympic gold medalists vowed to defeat Tunisa for their home funs but failed to do so. The current African strong side Tunisa hammered the visitors to a 2-0 defeat infront of the 90 mintues dancing crowed. The 24th African nations cup champian once again proved for the West African gaints that it is time for the northerns.
Ghana the frist country to win the Olympic soccers, medal in Barcelma made it again to Athens cup final crushing Zambia 2-0 at home. Long retired from international soccer, The Balck stars presence is Athens may be resurraction for the soccer crazy Ghanians.
Now the qualifiacation Chapter closed Tunisian, Mali, Morrocco and Ghana are to represent Africa in the 2002 Athens Olympic soccer cup final in June.

 

1st Mekelle Great Run attracts 5000 athletes

Gebre Egziabiher G/Mariam the Brussels world cross country championship double silver medallist won the Siemens sponsored Tigray great run held in Mekelle.
Organized by the Great Ethiopian Run, the first ever Mekelle Great Run brought together some 5000 athletes even from as far as Wollo and Gonder towns. The living legend and Great Ethiopian Run Director Haile Gebre Selassie appeared as guest of honor together with W/o Bisrat Tenagashaw President of the Ethiopian Athletics Federation.
When the colorful 10 Km road race came to an end, the rising athletics star Gebre Egziabiher Gebre Mariam finished in first clocking 30:37:08, followed by the Southern Region representative athlete Goda Hagos. Gebre Egziabiher Teklay came in third from Mekelle.
In the women’s category Workinesh Kidane double gold medallist at the recent Janmeda cross country championship crossed the finishing line in high spirit to win the first Tigray great run. Just a week from the Brussels world cross country championship Workinesh’s dedication to take part in this run earned her the respect of many. Goshtom Habtu and Taeme Shumeye finished second and third respectively.
Including the Youth, Culture and Sport Deputy Minister his Excellency Melaku Petros, several government officials joined the 10 Km road race in addition to the invited young rising athletes from Addis Abeba, Southern Region and Amhara Regions, as well as athletes from Arsi.
The Oromia Wonji Sugar F.C. sole sponsor, Siemens Ethiopia, also the strong pillar of the Mekelle Great Run, gave away cash prizes to the champions, while the Mekelle Municipality honored Haile Gebre Selassie and the events two champions Gebreegziabher and Workinesh.
Out of the 15000 Birr cash prize the two international athletes and winners of their category took 3000 Birr each, while those who finished second in both races collected 2500 Birr a piece. 2000 Birr each went to those who finished third. Many felt happy for their local heroes Gebre Egziabiher and Workinesh’s presence not only as participant but as winners of the first Mekelle Great Run that is in great prospect of being an annual event. For the occasion the Mekelle municipality awarded the Greate Run, 500 meter square of land around the visinity of Adihak town to Haile and both champions.
 

Motor sport skyrockets to international recognition

  Roberto and Niko dominate Rally

It took nine solid years patience and devotion to get the coveted Ethiopian Rift Valley Rally championship title. Maybe it is for their over ambition or simply some adrenalin excitement, but the newly crowned champions Roberto Gabresi and Nikodimos Mekonen never enjoyed championship title.

The 3rd place at the night rally was their biggest achievement until last Sunday. When the riddle unfurled, it was clear that they were waiting for the right time and right place to roar their Subaru Impreza to the victory podium.
On Sunday in the presence of former SuperSport and CNN anchor Graeme Joffe, the team chose to rise to the occasion where only 5 cars out of 12 finished the race.
Covering the roughest 519 Km race route full of ditches, curves and unexpected nerve rigging hurdles was a tough competition for those engaged on the wheels and the navigator maps. But for the 35 years old Graeme Joffe, producer of Africa Sport Hour and married to sport journalism, all was love at first sight, for this was his first ever Rift Valley rally. Jumping from one hill to another, then running up and down to shoot spectacular swerves and skids regardless of the risk of over turning, Joffe covered every action worthy of his 20 minutes action that is to be transmitted nationwide at the end of this month.
For all the hospitality of the people here, his new love for the Rally,and witnessing the high dedication of the association and MultiChoice’s good will to give such privilege, “I sweat to produce the most colorful multi purpose twenty minutes of my life experience in Ethiopia,” disclosed the ever smiling thumb snapping Joffe, after watching excited folks perform the national dance at the evening rally closing ceremony at Meskel square. “For sure I will be returning very soon to Addis, but it is not about me but about the true picture of your country for those who haven’t seen it,” added Joffe who served seven years with CNN and is now a production company owner.
Not only the champions Roberto and Nikodimos were motivated by the sports media anchor, but the ever smiling Anteneh Techane and brother co-pilot Emeshaw Techane also won their category in style. Can you imagine Anteneh crying over an over turned race car? That is exactly what he did at the last rally when he crashed out of the race.
Carlo Berti with elder sister and co-pilot Christina Valle snatched the 1601-2000 CC category championship followed by the Gulla brothers Umberto and Vittorio Gula.
Roberto Gabbresi and Nikodimos Mekonen not only won the 2000/Turbo category but took the overall championship title, their biggest dream. Carlo and Christina stood second with Anteneh and Emshaw Techane third.
At the awarding ceremony held on Monday at the Hilton Addis, patron of the Ethiopian motor association and spokes person of house of people representative Dawit Yohanes gave away trophies, money prizes and special awards to the winners.
Co-pilot Christina Valle and daughter of veteran racer Rudolfo‘s co-pilot Maddlina Valeri, the only two women in the race took a special award for their iron will covered under their disarming smile. Roberto Gabrezi also received a special award for his all time help to the motor association’s achievement. MultiChoice Ethiopia on its part awarded a one year free DStv subscription for the over all winners Roberto and Nikodimos.
 

Saint George plays Electric today

Banks and Adama waiting for their encounters

After two months interval, because of the disappointing international fixtures, the rusty Ethiopian soccer machine started rolling when the defending knockout champions Ethiopian Coffee played against visiting Desssie Kenema on Thursday for the quarterfinal place of the season’s championship.
Fourth in the premier league table with 25 points Ethiopia Banks entertained the national division Omedla on Thursday’s early kick off.
The 1980’s one of the best side Omedla, now in the national league and coached by former national team popular player Negussie Gebre and Tesfaye Fetene, are said to be favorite of joining the premier league next season. Determined to do so, Omedla started an early attack against the strong Banks’ defense line and succeeded to score the opener. Not only at the front, the team also showed an upper hand until the turning point came out of the blue. A penalty was given on a handball and Yared Abeje scored straight from the spot the equalizer. While Omedla was in shock, Yared doubled his goal tally to help Ethiopian Banks to a 2-1 win, thus progressed to the next stage.
Kicked out of the international knock-out competition after a humiliating home match, Coffee resumed their local heroic adventure on Thursday. Their encounter with Dessie Kenema entered into the field with high excitement and tension considering Coffee’s popularity. Quite dominating in the first half Coffee took a 1-0 lead through Fasika Sima. Back from the changing room, keeping the visitors still in confusion, Fasika scored his second goal, followed by Messay’s third before the end of the game.
Despite the 3-0 victory that has earned them some home pride among their fans, coffee must tighten their seatbelts to retain their title in order to gain what is lost in the past two weeks.
On Friday evening the reigning priemier league chmpions Saint George defeated Mugher cement F.C. 1-0 after a poor performance as now adays their usual trend.
Andualem scored the winning goal against his former team Mugehr 15 minutes before the final whistle. Saint George manager Haans still couldn’t find a solution for the club’s problem having so many star players in the squad.
As the many disapproved seeding shows, Saint George is to play Electric today for the semi final place. The winner of the two entertains Ethiopian Banks on Tuesday. After two wins in the championship campaign Banks are waiting their adversary well rested and fully prepared.Adama Kenema are also in high alert to their encounter on Tuesday.