Confrontation may prove costly to Ethiopian soccer
By Michael Samson
When
the Ethiopian Football Federation general assembly met at Ghion Hotel,
many assumed that FIFA’s two years suspension nightmare would come to
an end for the assembly would simply agree FIFA’s ultimatum
unanimously. But the outcome turned out completely different and
unexpected. The general assembly actually decided that FIFA’s
ultimatum to reinstate the former federation president Dr. Asheber W/Giorgis
to chair the newly elected normalization committee is considered as
interference in the country’s sovereignty.
According to the weekly “Athena” Amharic sports newspaper, the general
assembly directed the discussion on Dr. Ashebir’s personality and what
forgotten skeleton might be found in his past rather than focusing on
the pressing agenda of FIFA’s ultimatum.
At the conclusion the general assembly passed a resolution to go ahead
with FIFA’s Zurich ruling but never to accept Dr. Asherber as
committee chairman. Also in the resolution, the assembly called the
six members normalization committee to start office soon. The
historical minute of the general assembly should be translated in
English for its journey to FIFA’s general secretary office in Zurich,
was the wrapping up of the day’s assembly.
Ethiopia is hence awaiting for the reaction of FIFA having refused to
obey orders from by the world soccer governing body. The irony is that
even if FIFA suspends Ethiopia from international soccer for the
coming two years, the Ethiopian Football Federation is still obliged
to first reinstating Dr. Asheber to office before once again FIFA
acknowledges Ethiopia as member of world soccer.
What ever the previous history concerning government involvment, this
time the government should interfere in the matter for it is the
Ethiopian people at large that would be punished for what just a few
did, any which way.
In the meantime CAF has invited two Ethiopian representatives for the
continent’s next presidential election in Tunisia. Both State Minister
Tezera Wodajo of the new committee and Dr. Asheber W/Girogis of the
former declined the invitation, while Ato Abebaw Kelkay the current
Federation Secretary is said to take part in the conference where the
53 African confederations are to vote for a new president.
In other news Dr Asheber told Katanga sports weekly that he is to
attend the CAF general assembly despite the official news that he is
not invited. The former EFF president disclosed that he already have
an invitation through the confederation of East & Central African foot
ball association (CECAFA) and underlined that he is the one to
represent Ethiopia at the general assembly. “ What I understood from
last Saturdays meeting is that the men against me gave away their
final death whisper” said Dr. Asheber who stood firm on his legal
ground to reclaim his chairmanship.
Seyoum vows to
crush visiting Angolan team
Ethiopian Olympic soccer team is to host its Angolan counterpart for
the third round African Olympic qualification matches to take part in
the Athens Olympic the coming July.
The visiting Angolans who defeated Uganda at Kampala 1and drawn
against Morocco on their own soil are second in group three with four
points. Morocco on top for a goal difference. On the other hand the
Ethiopian Olympic team who crushed Uganda 1-0 at home despite playing
with 10 men for 48 minutes are to take advantage of the home front to
win the game and secure maybe top of the group if Morocco loses to
Uganda.
Seyoum Abate highly regarded not for his last time home win but for
his adventures attacking play with three attacks on the front line is
expected to set up a cautious but attacking minded movement so that he
could win three points from the visitors who will have the return leg
in Luanda.
Recalling the 5-1 youth team home defeat by the Angolans three years
back Seyoum told “Radio Fana” that the current Angolan Olympic team is
not in good form. A 2-1 away win against Uganda and a goalless home
draw against Morocco my squad and I are capable of crushing the
visitors said Seyoum in confidence.
We call for the sports fan to back us from start to finish added
Seyoum whose caliber in game reading and many applaud tactical play.
The Ethiopian Olympic team may face a hard game for playmaker Ashenafi
Girma is missing. He was red carded by the Kenyan official at the last
game.
Besides Ashenafi, Getu Tehsome the country’s best defensive mid
fielder and number one goalie Sadat Jemal are not available for
today’s match due to a serious injury while practicing. Electric’s mid
Fielder Mesfin Admassu (China) was recalled to the squad to take
Ashenafi’s role. Despite all the handicaps the team spirit among the
squad members is at its highest ready to crash Angolan team in front
of the home fans. Ethiopian soccer is to begin the New Year in victory
and we are not to let down the people this time, voiced the players in
unison.
NYALA:
Winner of annual boxing championship
The
season’s Addis Ababa Boxing championship final was held over the
weekend, with 100 male and 8 female Boxers taking part. In this
one-week championship, 22 finalists remained for the final match day
at Addis Ababa stadium.
In the 48 Kg
categories, the Endalkachew Kebede an experienced boxer both at the
national and international level took the Gold medal defeating his
rival Mola Getachew who won the Silver medal. Yeheyes Shiferaw and
Metiku Jemal came joint third to win the Bronze. The 81 Kg heavy
weight category undisputed champion Eyob Tesfaye took the Gold medal
after a of fight as many were registered for the title.
Dereje
Aberra came second to claim the Silver while Nurahmed Abrar collected
the Bronze. After an astonishing finale in the 60 Kg category Elias
Getaneh came out winner to grab the Gold, while his contender took
the Silver. In the 64 Kg category Samuel Belay of Nyala club defeated
Shimeles Wube of police club, to win the Gold leaving the Silver to
Shimeles and the Bronze for both Jamal Mohammed and Fekadu Bezu who
won it jointly.
Ashenafi
Bunero of Omedla club won the 75 Kg category crushing Bahou Shimeles
of police after one of the big fight of the 11 finales. Markos Derebe
of Nyala club took Gold in 57 Kg category defeating Daniel Tadesse at
the final. The two rivals came to the ring with sheer determination to
claim the title for they reached the final after numbers of
qualification fights. The spectators gave the two finalists standing
ovation when they came to the podium to take their prizes Gold and
Silver respectively. Solomon Gurmesa and Tamiru Bezu took the Bronze
jointly for they 3rd spot.
In the 51 Kg
category Mekonen Getachew claimed the Gold medal while Dereje Desu
took the Silver and Ephrem Habte and Belachew Damota stood joint third
to win the Bronze. Antebecha Gurmesa’s defeat surprised many for he is
one of the well-experienced fighters in the ring. Abel Aseralegn is
the one who defeated Antebecha to claim the Gold.The women’s 51 Kg
fight was one of the highlights of the final with Meskerem Chora
taking the Gold medal. Selamawit Gizaw won the silver while Amsale
claimed the Bronze. Woinishet Gebre took the 54 Kg Gold.
Nyala stood top
of the table with 5 golds while Omedla came second with 2 medals
followed by Addis Ababa Police with one gold.
|
Tuesday
January 6, 2004
