Nigerian international Obafemi Martin appeared to start early proving himself as the best striker in English premier league. The former Inter Milan striker who failed to shine in Italian soccer to his liking joined English side New Castle in mid season to become an immediate success scoring last minute goals followed by his trade mark somersault to help win important matches. This time under new boss Sam Alardice who knows how to handle hard working players, 24 year old Obefemi expected to flourish. True to the expectation he opened the season with a double over Bolton. Former Bolton manager Sam Alardice leading the Geordies to Bolton’s Reebok stadium was a real test for the visitors and the days hero Martin did all the necessary goals to help smiling the Geordies after so long in gloomy face.

Ethiopia’s athletics squad ready for Osaka world championship

Ethiopian athletics federation officially announced the final 33 strong Ethiopian national athletics squad selection bound to the dearly awaited 11th IAAF world athletics championship from 25th August to 2nd September in Japan –Osaka.
Highly regarded as home of long distance world beaters, the Ethiopian squad consists of internationally renowned athletes expected to return home in thunderous victory. Neighboring Kenya as the only likely challengers in distance races Ethiopia is expected to shine once again on top of the world event medal table.
In women’s long distance a race defending 10000 and 5000 Trunesh Dibaba is out to the event to retain her title in both races. IAAF world athletics championship events being her most favorite stages (crowning the youngest ever world champion in Paris, then an only women athlete in the planet to win 5000 & 10000 meter double world champion in Helsinki) Trunesh is once again expected to a new athletics history in Osaka. Trunesh’s firm adversaries are her fellow country women’s notably the current world 5000 meter record holder Meseret Defar. The rivalry between the two world athletics stars made the 5000 race one of the most anxiously awaited event of the championship. Currently a t her best ever form and leading IAAF world best athlete of the season table, Meseret vowed to her first ever world championship title. As The Women 5000 meter medal sweeping two years back in Helsinki Trunesh, Meseret, Ejigayehu and Meselech respectively is once again expected in Osaka. This time Gelete Burka, All African Games 1500 meter gold medalist is amongst them. And she is there at her best form capable of challenging both Trunesh and Meseret.
In ten thousand meter it appears no one from home to seriously challenge Trunesh to retain the crown. The latest discovery in the distance All African gold medalist Mestewat Tufa and Helsinki bronze medalist Ejigayehu Dibaba and Ahaza Kiros are beside her to go all the way for the 100000 meter medal sweeping.
The men’s 10000 meter is Kenenisa’s turf for he is currently the best in the distance and at his best form to defend his title. Kenenisa one of the high lights of Osaka athletics meeting following his devastating double victories over Australian Craig Motram has three lieutenants from home .Olympic silver medalist Seleshi Sehen, former world youth champion G/Egziabher G/ Mariam, and rising star twenty years old Tadesse Tola are there beside Kenenisa to help Ethiopia sweep the medal table.
Ethiopian 5000 meter men’s squad comprised of relatively younger and yet to achieve world stardom athletes the star performer Tariku Bekele younger brother to Kenenisa. All African bronze medalists Tariku lead the three men squad comprising Young Abraham Cherkose, Bekana Daba and Olympic silver medalist Seleshi Sehin as stand by.
For the very first time Ethiopia takes part in world champion 1500 meter race represented by two male Derese Mekonen and Mekonen G/ Medin and one female athlete Mestwate Tadesse. After long absence in 3000 meter staple chase competition Ethiopia lines up a nine athlete squad comprising of two men and three women athletes.
In one of the biggest event of the championship that is Marathon, Ethiopia sends a strong ten athlete squad five each in men’s and women’s squad. Gashaw Melese and Tesfaye Tola as the best bets Dejene Berhanu, Anbese Tolosa and Gudissa Shentema are there to battle for world championship marathon title. With abundant international experience Shetaye Gemechu and Adanech Zekios at for front, the Ethiopian women marathon squad includes Houston marathon champion Dire Tune, Askale Tafa and Robe Guta.

Ethiopian National women side walked out of Beijing Olympic qualification

Ethiopian national women Olympic side gave forfeit to its counter part South African side in its second round Beijing Olympic African qualification campaign.
Though the Ethiopian football federation preferred to ignore the home press, Sub-Saharan Informer news paper disclosed that a letter signed by EFF general secretary Ashenafi Ejigu sent to South African Football Association announcing the Ethiopian women national side pulled off the qualification campaign for being engaged in busy schedule to the coming Ethiopian millennium thus cancelled the qualification second round first leg encounter in Johannesburg Caledonian stadium.
According to Ashenafi the cancellation is a result of the 2000 millennium celebrations due to start in Ethiopia on the 11th September.
“For the millennium celebration more than 750 thousand natives and foreigners will be coming to Ethiopia from different parts of the world all hotels are reserved for guests for about four months, the Addis Ababa stadium will be busy before and after the celebration day for different purposes and because of the above forced measures situation we are forced to give forfeit in both men and women Olympic and preliminary tournament‘s” the news quote Ashenafi Ejigu.
On the other hand news resource disclosed that the team disbanded on grounds of shortage of budget following the 3-1 home defeat by mighty Ghanaian Black Queens. According to ABBI Sport weekly the national squads as well as the coaches declined for an interview in fear of serious retaliation from the governing body. “Because we can’t shoulder the heavy consequence of giving interview, we prefer to be quiet and see what comes next. Let alone us the minnows, the federation showed its might banning club presidents” the news quoted.
How ever the football federation decision to walk out of the qualification campaign called for harsh critics from soccer fans. Many speculated that the reason behind the termination is a face saving one for the real cause is the result of the qualification opening home defeat. “I suspect the federation feared a humility defeat to come in the away matches. Loosing 3-1 at home seem too much humiliation for the federation” said former women soccer club coach who preferred not to mention names.
The national senior side in preparation in Awasa for the nation’s cup final group qualification home final match against Namibia, shortage of budget appears unconvincing. With only a mathematical qualification probability it would have been better to give the chance for the women’s side currently considered the best in East Africa. Taking in to consideration how much the women side toiled to reach to the group stage defeating Liberia, Tanzania and Morocco denying them the chance in the eve of the Ethiopian only Millennium celebration is a frustrating incident surely to discourage the rising women football to flourish. The best I achieved in playing for the national side is representing my country followed by a visit in foreign country that is priceless privilege amongst most Ethiopians. I was looking forward to visit the continents three big capital cities Johannesburg, Accra and Abuja. Now I am no more as inthusiasisist as I used to be” remarked a player desperate of the cancellation.

COMMENTARY

Gender biased Football

What ever the cause behind the cancellation of Ethiopian women Olympic side qualification campaign is the most brutal act of football federation against the aspiring squad that worked hard to reach the qualification group stage. This huge decision of withdrawing from hard earned preliminary qualification at least demands an officially announcement through press conference so that the public be aware of the development. This is the expected of a responsible body elected to serve a public office. Doing it in the dark is a cowardly way yet capable of breaking youngsters heart who worked hard to achieve their dream. What other benefit as an amateur do the players as well as the coaches have except representing their country and be in different countries as sport ambassadors. You know they hard earned that privilege of representing the tri color walking home on foot after training, eating and drinking what ever their family provided and for some facing angry family preferring them to stay home to cook rather than out to play soccer. After all this an EFF cowardly decision in the dark denied them their right and sent them home sobbing their eyes out. What an irresponsible act.
Though the squad members and coaches are the first victims of the harsh decision those soccer fans who cheered and danced with them after victory and sobbed with them when loosing are the ones who got slapped on the face. Especially Central Medical College that stood strong beside the team for its international achievement. By the way was there any effort to look for a sponsorship?
Shortage of budget is said to be the cause for the cancellation and it really is a lame excuse for we all knew the national senior side is in preparation for the already lost cause of qualification for African cup of nations. What about that big talk of building chain of stadiums and office buildings all over regional states. Is that possible for an empty purse federation? No way.
Surprisingly the cause differs according to who talks the issue. When it comes to South African Football Association it is the busy schedule of Ethiopian millennium celebration the cause for the cancellation. Why not tell the truth for the truth makes you all free.
Any ways there would be no better celebration for the millennium than celebrating Ethiopian women squad if qualify for Olympic soccer cup final for the first time in the nations soccer history. A new millennium a new soccer chapter! What a dream combination. Even if they fail to qualify it means nothing since sport is there to win or loose. The irresponsible measure kills off many football aspiring young girls dream and abort the effort of saving many lives through football. It is shame for a soccer governing body elected to promote the very sport.  
Of course Ethiopia is drawn in the death group together with African giants Nigeria , Ghana and South Africa . But who said qualification is impossible? It is a recent time soccer phenomena that Greece took European title while world soccer giants Germany , Italy , England and Holland watching from side line. Has the federation ever heard of such hard to believe soccer dramas? That is what soccer is.
I have the opinion that had they won Ghana at home the decision would have not taking place and no frustration among the squad. EFF cancelled the campaign for being so sure the home team would never make it in to qualification in the presence of the giants. I ask again so what if they fail? We all know our national senior side is in the losers’ end for the past three decades and we still are trying to go forward at all costs. Why not for the girls, currently the pride of Ethiopian football and the best East African side? Ethiopian women affairs should say some thing about the issue even though it is too late to reverse the decision.   

Eriksson’s head on clash against Ferguson today
Chelsea entertains Liverpool

With out a win in the opening two matches and an only goal defending premier league champions Manchester united visits two wins out of two city rival Manchester City to day at City of Manchester the first time former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson to clash head on with Sir Alex Ferguson.
Eriksson, a man obsessed to prove him self for English soccer fans took Manchester City following the former Indonesian prime minister club ownership. City fans became so happy for the opening two wins and seating on top of the league table yet today is the most important event next to winning the title. At home and four points away from the visitors Eriksson is to be tasted today by fire. Of course the fire with out injured and out for the coming two months Rooney and suspended for three matches Christiano Ronaldo.
FA cup holders Chelsea with two wins, 3-2 over new comers Birmingham followed by late goal win over ….entertains arch enemy Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, for the best match of the week. With Drogba and Terry back from injury in time for the big clash it appears Jose Maurinho’s pray to a cold revenge since the bitter champions’ league semi final defeat heard. On the other hand the Reds inspiration Steven Gerard sustaining hair line toe injury might not be available a bonus for the Portuguese manager. Liverpool’s opening away match victory over Aston Villa made them three points away than the hosts.
Premier league opening away win over sworn enemy Fulham followed by an away champions league preliminary first leg match over strong side Sparta Prag, Arsene Wenger hosts preferably physical Blackburn Rovers at Emirates. With a season’s opener away win manager Mark Hughes side with few summer signings may visit Emirates in caution for Wenger’s young brats, with lots of skill are eager to prove they are still a fearsome side with out Henry.
The season’s start most amazing fact is the devastating performance by Totenham Hotspurs that lost two of the season’s opening matches. Signing so many big names splashing millions, last season fifth place Hotspurs were the most talked about sides capable of challenging the big guns. Trashed by new comers Sunderland at the opening day followed by 3-1 home defeat by Everton sent the Dutch manager Martin Yol into hiding. Though with clumsy start Yol has a potentially superior squad that deserves at least a fourth place finish at the end of the season.