Roger Fedrar’s victory over American James Blek in the master’s grand cup final was his 50th straight victory. The Swiss tennis wizard surprised many on his way up defeating renowned stars unleashing amazing talent. Fedrar’s latest win helped him stay world number one in the sport since February 2004. Collecting USD 33million in the year 2006, Fedrar is expected to break women Tennis great Stefen Graff‘s 186 week undefeated record. The twenty years old Laurence Award winner for the season’s best sportsman for three seasons in a row, Fedrar is the hot favorite to topple Pete Sampras’ 14 Grand Slam title record soon. Fedrar is just three awards away from the existing record.

Who to win, or defend a title or set new records

Kenenisa, Trunesh, Meseret, Esenbayeva, Kluft or Simpson
With eleventh Osaka-Japan world athletics champion ship well under way speculation is on the building who to defend a title, who to burst in to an over night sensation, who to set new records and who to surrender his crown. Obviously who to dominate the occasion is the number one concern of the sport’s fans yet an individual effort is also one thing that steers the crowed in to ecstasy.
The 5000 meter show down between world double defending champion Trunesh Dibaba and world record holder Meseret Defar is the high light of the occasion so open for speculation. Currently on top of IAAF world best athlete of the season table Meseret is not only to de throne her compatriot but also to settle some score in the past. Though she had not been in head lines these recent months since her win in Paris, Tirunesh also has good reason to raise for the occasion. Lost her chance of sharing last season’s golden league jack pot after a defeat by Meseret, the defending champion sure to have her own agenda of proving who the best is in the distance. The best hope for bet addicts.
As of the ten thousand meter there seems nothing to bet about for it is Trunesh’s territory. Except her compatriots Meselech Melkamu and Mestwat Tufa Trunesh is clear favorite to defend her title. Of course those Orientals might have some thing to say about it but it is hard to bring some one out of the blue then bet on it.
It seems speculation is out of question when it comes to Olympic gold medalist and defending champion Kenenisa Bekele’s fate at Osaka-Japan. Being in his best form that is winning three international meetings in eight days time he is considered too much to any one coming to challenge him. Eritrean Zeresenay may be the only one who dares to cross Kenenisa’s path, yet it is because he loves to come second following the king. Famous for keeping his word Kenenisa promised reporters that he is not traveling to Osaka not only to defend his title but also to set new world record. It appears safe to bet on Zersenay whether he finishes second or further behind.
Yelina Esenbayeva is the other athlete who closed the speculation window for she is an out and out best Pole Vaulter the only woman in the planet to clear above five meter. Her closest contender is Polish Monica Piret whose record only reaches way down from five meters. You need to be Polish to bet on Monica.
Heptathlon queen Swedish Carolina Kluft also expected to defend her title but with some reservation a good option for speculators. With world record of 7291 points Kluft is sure to defend her title but still open for some challenge.
Helsinki women world 100 meter champion US American Lauren Williams is expected to a big show down against Jamaican Sharon Simpson who dominated the current season. Williams’s absence for injury gave Sharon a mighty confidence that she is the right queen for the throne. She may insist how come after a year absence. Open for speculation as well as bet for a big chunk.
As sport is a phenomenon that no one can be sure of winning, or defending a title or setting new records, world spectators sure to glue the selves to TV set all week. For many nations it is not the final medal count that made a difference rather it is an individual performance that boils their blood and steer them to street dance at mid night.
The medal count is reserved for the big ones who travel with the biggest number of participants which are USA , China , and Russia . How ever world always look for a new hero or heroine to come to the podium every time such big occasions taking place. The same goes for Osaka –Japan IAAF 11th World athletics championship
For Ethiopians it is the long distance race that keeps them alive in front of the TV set. All Await at least three gold medals through Kenenisa, Trunesh and Meseret.
  

Ethiopian Premier League players on the move
Tafesse, hottest item on the shelf

Three weeks into the winter break Ethiopian premier league players are busy signing new deals with their clubs or a switching to others. Of the transfer saga, Ethiopian football current number one striker Tafesse Tesfaye is the most talked about free agent after two successful seasons with Ethiopian Coffee. Last season premier league top soccer who was also leading scorer of the suspended season, Tefesse’s two years contract expires as of July, now he is as free as a bird to fly and land anywhere comfortable.
Surprisingly his former club Electric that saw him climbing the ladder playing at every level only to dumb him out when his four years contract expires is now one of the front runners to his signature. At the time electric chose to sign in Awasa Kenema’s Segebo, paying a record 67000 while denying ETB 20000 to home grown Tafesse.
Disappointed and out to disprove Electric head coaches both foreigners Italian…..and Ken Norton from England he joined Ethiopian Coffee with ETB 30,000 signing bonus. He helped Coffee for premier league runner – up spot finishing top scorer of the season bagging 13 league goals while number of goals for the Ethiopian national senior soccer side.
Likely to stay with Coffee for an additional season speculation where he lands next is the hottest issue among clubs. Electric, Ethiopian Banks and Awasa Kenema FC are the three sides waiting in queue to win his signature. A record transfer fee is the likelihood if he switches side” a friend suggested.
Not only Tafesse, Coffee skipper Edilu Dereje and full back Wosenu Baze are also among those whose contact expired as of the start of July. Exemplary skipper Edelu had been with Coffee for the last five years in which time he witnessed many up and downs that he was considered Coffee in and out. Though nothing heard from him so far, Kifle Bolten’s commitment to youngsters in the coming season might discourage him from further stay with Ethiopian Coffee. If so, Edelu is to leave his beloved club with out any silver ware. What a sad end.
Rising to fame young Wosenu Baze is the other player with probability of packing out from Coffee to where he might pocket good money for his signature. Ethiopian Banks FC is rumored to have strong desire to take Wosenu to their wing with lucrative signature fee. Ethiopian Coffee is expected to keep all three of course with good money in their direction.

Bezunesh Bekele wins Sendafa 10km road race
Eshetu dominates men’s event

Back from serious leg injury former national short distance second runner up Eshetu Gezahne and reigning All Ethiopian Games 10000 meters champion Bizunesh Bekele dominated the second annual Sululta road race.
The men’s event that brought 228 athletes representing various clubs and regional states was not as tense as the crowed expectation for the winners took the front line earlier in the race. At the start it was Zenbaba Yigezu who broke away from the pack but only to stay on course until the fourth kilo meter mark from which the ultimate winner Eshetu and Tesfaye Sendeku from Yenegew Sew athletics club jointly took the lead to stay shoulder to shoulder for the next two kilo meters. At the six kilo meter mark it was Eshetu alone and gearing up his pace to distant him self further from the pack. When he hit the half way mark he was a good half kilometer away from the one person at the back Kidane Gemechu him self fifty meters in front of the pack. Two years at the side line treating his badly injured leg the 25 years old Eshetu Gezahane raised to the occasion in such a manner that no one from the pack dare to test his determination to a winning come back. Eshetu crossed the line in 1:01:00 followed by Kidane Gemechu of Omedla club who finished twenty four seconds latter.Saint George’s Rajj Assefa came third in 1:01:31 followed by Tesfaye Sendeku in 1:01:33 to claim fourth place
In the women’s event it was Bizunesh all the way from start to finish. Despite the presence of former renowned athletes the likes of Genete Getaneh, twice former Germany 10 km champion, Bizunesh stayed in front to dictate the race she ultimately won in 1:09:36. It was an astonishing performance by the athlete from Ethiopia Banks’ that called for thundering clasp from spectators. Omedla’s Astede Habtamu finished far second in 1:11:06 followed by Genet Getaneh of Prison Police club. The event being held in Sululta town some 25 kilo meter from the capital, the crowed turn out was so minimal it appears obvious an early public relation duty must be done. The athletics loving crowed would come to kill two birds with a single stone that is watching the occasion at the same time enjoying the out skirt fresh air.

Opposition demo held against EFF at Meskel Square

Thousand of demonstrators gathered at Meskel square Sunday to voice their support for the provisional premier league clubs Union and renounced the incumbent Dr Asheber G/Giorgis led Ethiopian Football Federation.
More than two months since the start of the dispute between the federation and premier league clubs came in to a new chapter that is the formation of provisional clubs union led by Saint George club board chairman Abnet G/ Meskel followed by the union members boycott of the premiere league season, the demonstration organized to exert pressure on the president who previously gave his word to call the national federation general assembly only to change mind at the final hour to a two months postponement.
According to the opposition organizers, the Union tried every effort to bring the president to some senses but to no avail. Rather than trying to reach a mutual agreement the president chose to label the union as an outlaw who ganged up to throw the executive committee. He even went further to hand the union president a three years ban from any thing sport in the country alleging to bad mouth the continent’s football governing body.
With every effort falling down the union called a public gathering opposition rally in which tens of thousands people including the eleven premier league clubs representatives turned out. Armed with slogan placards the gathering gave full support to the union now with the latest agenda of forming its own league tournament in Abebe Bikila stadium.
In his statement to the gathering the union representative Insurance club President Mengestu Meharu remarked that all concerned bodies must work hard towards attaining good governance in the federation and added the people must come together to the better of football in the country. “The gathering called in order to show government offices and is concerned bodies that the federation is not ready to come up with a solution to the dispute. We all supported when the current executive committee took office yet so far it contributed nothing to better Ethiopian football” Mengestu told the gathering.
The nation’s most successful soccer coach Asrat Haile in his part said he concluded that the federation is good for nothing since months back and called the public to join force to bring a brighter day for Ethiopian football. “The federation leadership must be in the hands of those educated in the profession and has good knowledge of the sport” Asrat remarked.
Former players spokes man Asseged Tesfaye in his part reminded the public that the federation better try to understand the clubs’ motive rather than unnecessary bias on the situation. “I wonder why the federation officials are not willing to give proper answers for what ever demand comes from the clubs. I am really sorry for ill treatment on the Ethiopian women national side recently.” One of Ethiopian all time great footballers Asseged Tesfaye announced.
In his closing address to the public the union president Abnet told that the union has no intention of further negotiation with the federation and asked the public to stand firmly behind. “We are happy that the gathering ended successful and I am sure the state will give us solution soon.” Abnet G/Meskel one of the nations’s leading investor and close person
to business tycoon Sheik Mohamed Al Amoudi rallied the public.

commentary

Hardly a clear picture

With Eleven of the sixteen premier league clubs taking part in Sunday’s opposition rally at Meskel Square, it meant the best sign yet that the incumbent Dr Asheber led Ethiopian Football Federation executive committee has lost a vote of confidence from the very body that raised him to the presidency. Those who had voted for him now went against him for they believe it is time he go after his two year presidency produced only chaos in the nation’s football. I believe it is not just the current federation that is responsible for the chronic decline of football in the country that started long ago. Yet, no one denies it is this federation that took it to the worst ever situation so that it is ready for burial. I think it is too late for the federation to reverse the situation for there is no love lost with the Premier League clubs which are of course the cornerstones of the sport.
If all is true about this amateurism that is free service for the sport, I don’t understand why you (the EEF), do battle against the masses claiming that you only are right people for the job. When those very persons who vote for you say enough is ensugh, you must say thank you and go home with out fuss. You have tried but you failed miserably and history is there to record that.
In consideration to my argument, Dr Asheber, once champion of Ethiopian football, must submit his resignation as he is not up to it. A well to do professional with chains of private dental clinics, he is a professional and should only dream of serving society, unless he prefers not to understand or have some hidden agenda, to admit failure should not have been so hard. He is battling either for his stubborn ego or there some unknown so he is not yet finished milking. Otherwise, why has he chosen to become the target for public wrath.
Of course, Dr Asheber is not one to run away every time some one wants to throw a stone in him. He always say these people are outlaws who wish to over throw his cabinet. In the first place, himself he is already an out law for not calling the annual assembly for two years. Now, who is he to call others names while he himself is not respecting the law? Above all, he is president of the executive committee, a committee by name yet runs a one man shows dictatorship other members never heard of.
Yes, FIFA is a sovereign territory that no one government dares to trespass. However, I am sure it is not there simply to watch the likes of Dr Asheber destroy an established institution, the very base of FIFA itself. FIFA stands guard for those who toil for the greatness of football, not personal gain. It is the worst record to despair such humiliating deessions. Runaway league clubs, suspended league season, walking out of Olympic qualification in mid campaign, awarding top scorer of the season for the undeserving (which took six months to admit,) interrupting the season every three weeks, never willing for a round table discussion, failing to keep his word of the formation of a league committee and to call an annual national general assembly…etc are a few from the list the president stands accused of. So why all this hassle for one whose sole stated purpose is to serve the public …?

Germany defeats England at Wembley
Italy down to Hungary

It was a busy mid week for many European nations and some others from South America and Africa engaging either in a friendly or qualification matches. The final chapter for European soccer cup final coming closer that is mid September some of the results for the friendly matches ended in surprise.
More than forty years since taking world championship title still hungry for a hero to put back her name along side the short list of European champions dominated by Germany that took the honor in four occasions. How ever things appear harder despite having great individual talents the likes of Beckham, Rooney, and Gerald and so on. Who to make a strong squad out of these individuals is what England failed to produce. Steve Maclaren, the latest England manager who assumed the position only for being an English man with nothing to show for his résumé is still looking for a miracle that seem never to rain down.
England invited all time soccer enemy Germany to grace the state of the art 90000 seater Wembley stadium only to taste a bitter 2-1 defeat. Being the last nation to defeat England at the old Wembley, Germany’s invitation was taken to settle the record but it failed and now a new yet agonizing history stamped. England took an early lead at a ninth minute strong drive from no other than Frank Lampard. The home side took control of the game until Kevin Korani’s equalizer at 25th minute. Then after, it was a shaky England that conceded the second at 40th minute through a roaring 25 yard drive from Christian Pander. England with out Gerald, Hargraves and Rooney went out head down while the visitors with out Ballack, Scheweinsteiger, Miroslav Close and Podolski dancing in joy.
World champions Italy also stunned at the hands of Hungary that crushed them to 3-1 defeat. How ever it is a friendly as well as an away match, no one expected the 1970’s soccer masters Hungary to ridicule reigning champions now under manager Donadoni. What is more surprising is the hosts came from behind to hit the back of the net in three occasions with in just fifteen minutes. Inzaghi’s deflection gave Italy the lead at the 49th minute only to be thrown away to the hosts strikers who came out perfect on target.
The Copa America runner ups Argentina’s loss to Norway was one of the mid week surprises. The hosts took the lead through Carew at the twelfth minute from a spot kick followed by Carick’s second after a splendid pass from Risse. The visitors tried every thing to save them selves from another blow after Brazil’s hard to believe 3-0 defeat but only managed for a consolation goal through Maxi Rodriguez six minutes from the final whistle.
Christiano Ronaldo saved the day for world cup bronze medalist Portugal in their visit to Armenia for group qualification match. Minnows Armenia took the lead 12th minute into the game with a header and stood guard for the single equalizer when Ronaldo beat them for the equalizer. Poland who went draw with Russia tops the group with 19 points while Portugal comes second four points below. The group big clash takes place on September eight when Poland visits Portugal.