Bertukan Gebre Kirstos, Ethiopian women’s most prolific striker is one of the stars in the All African Games soccer cup final in Algers, to shine bright. Twice grabbing the most important double strikes over Morocco, to help Ethiopia go through to the final qualification match for the Olympics soccer cup final, Bertukan is highly praised among her compatriots as the best ever woman footballer in the country. Having the mesmerizing dribbling talent that goes with breath taking strikes, the home side depends on Bertukan for the way home from a tournament in pride.

Haile G/ Selassie targets to set new world record

World all time great distance runner Haile Gebre Selassie announced he is to take part in the Dubai International Marathon in January.
A week after his 24th athletics record, living legend Haile traveled to Dubai to attend the press conference of the announcement of the big occasion with the biggest ever award in athletics history. The latest Dubai international Marathon edition brings together world renowned marathoners to battle for a new world record that go together with USD one million. Haile G/Selassie is on top of the list that contains world marathon elitists already confirmed to attend.
For any one who smash the existing marathon record that is 2:04:55 held by Kenyan Paul Target and the women’s 2:15:25 held by British Paula Radcliff, is not only going to athletics history book as the events new record holder but also with one million dollar worth of purse for his/her hard work.
Haile one of the only five world marathon giants to finish under 2:06, appeared in a set of mind for breaking the half dozen years old world record in Dubai in January just five months before his dream destination Beijing Olympic. Setting a new world half marathon record in Ostrava –Czech, that is one hour in the mark, Haile promised the organizers for a new world record and kicked off his intensive preparation there in Dubai the next morning.
“Sure I will go for the million dollar purse, but my priority is setting a new world record” Haile told the press conference in Dubai. Asked weather he is to hang his running shoes after Beijing, the ever in smile Haile remarked why at just 34 he must say good bye to love while former giants the likes of compatriots Olympic gold medalists Mirtus Yifter and Mamo Wolde made that history at the age of 39 and 40 respectively. “At 2012 London Olympic, I will be 38 and why not London?” The man popular for keeping his words Haile Gebre Selassie suggested. According to his Dutch manager Jos Hermen, Haile with 2:05:56 best in 2006 Berlin is going to trim few seconds off the current world record in September then munching off big in Dubai in January. “It is an honor to have Haile with us in Standards Chartered Dubai Marathon” Event organizer director Peter Conerton remarked.

Union chairman Abenet banned for three years

Ethiopian football federation handed a three years ban and ETB 30,000 fine on the Ethiopian premier league run away provisional clubs Union chairman Abenet Gebre Meskel.
Saint George club board chairman and one of the coming Ethiopian investors, Ato Abenet was accused of a statement to a press conference held in the capital back from the frustrating African champion’s league return leg encounter against Congolese side Etwal de Congo. According to twice weekly “Reporter” news paper sports page, EFF in its news release stated the union chairman Ato Abenet in his press interview referred to the nation’s soccer governing body (CAF) as a mafia circle, an insult that could trigger harsh disciplinary measure on Ethiopia.
The statement further stated that EFF executive committee in its June 17 and July 5 meetings elaborated on the matter that could jeopardize one of CAF’s founding member’s, Ethiopia’s, relationships with the confederation and decided to act before a strong reprimand comes from CAF. Thus, an apology to the confederation of African football followed by a heavy disciplinary measure on the individual is the only way to save the nation from further crisis.
Though nothing has been heard from CAF about the incident that took place months back, the federation’s executive committee, currently under pressure from premier league clubs as well as government offices to call a national general assembly, appeared seriously concerned to save the nation from what ever is to come from CAF as a result of Abenet’s negative remark on the confederation. “ The remark surely damages Ethiopian’s positive image as a founding member and strong measure against the defamation would surely save the nation from CAF’s anger” was the argument by the Dr Asheber W/Giorgis led EFF that is behind the three years ban and ETB 3000 fine.
In the mean time, the club’s union announced that it is not under EFF jurisdiction to act on such matters and the purpose is to send a message to the union members that if they want to go tough, the going will get tougher. The federation wants us to put what ever demand we have and run away. The decision is to warn us coming meant to come the national general assembly meeting called for July 28, is not an easy matter that any one could be invited.” the union heralded.
Some who got shocked for the federation’s decision told Capital sport page that it is one hell move that would rock the nation’s soccer.
“The deadliest move ever done by EFF president Dr Asheber” remarked former referee now in retirement. “No wonder he came out victorious after that long arduous battle against former youth and sport deputy minister Melaku Petros” said another from sport’s commission.
“I always say when it comes to survival, Dr Asheber is as cunning as a wild wolf. I am sure he will survive this time once again”, said another who claimed he himself had been a victim of DR Asheber’s cabinet. What is surprising is that almost every one Capital contacted is convinced the move is the brain child of the president.

Copa America dream cup final today Argentina Vs Brazil

Latin America soccer championship dream cup final takes place today at Marcaibo between historical rivals Argentina and Brazil. The defending champions reached the cup final with a 5-4 penalty shoot out win while Argentina demolished tournament surprise package Mexico 3-0. Argentina, the hot favorite to take the title to a record 15 times, joined the final in style crushing every side that came across.
After a luck cluster opening display against Mexico which ended in a 2-0 defeat, the tournaments seven time champions Brazil reached today’s cup final unconvincingly.
A 3-0 victory over Chile in the second round group match followed by a controversial penalty victory over Ecuador, Brazil made it into the final stage amidst strong opposition at home against team manager Carlos Dunga and his inept squad. Under fire former world cup winning captain Dunga openly stated “forget sexy football” and what the Brazilians discovered in the Copa America Campaign is just that. The only time the team appeared world class squad in this tournament so far was at the quarter final stage when it romped Chile 6-1. Not only half a dozen goals, but marveling touches with superb finishing was in abundance. Many even predicted the squad matured in time for the semi final clash against Uruguay. How ever things failed to turn out as expected when the under dogs tormented the defending champions to settle for a two all draw. Had it not been for some poor finishing, Uruguay would have made it to the cup final clash instead of Brazil. After a 5-4 penalty shoot out, the record five time champions hobbled in to todays eagerly awaited cup final clash against Argentina with whom they only managed a penalty shoot out victory over the past 91 years Copa America soccer championship history. Though the two giants met in nine occasions in the past, it was in 2003 in Peru that Brazil only snatched the title from Argentina after a penalty shoot out.
It appears that Argentina was waiting for the arrival of manager Alfio Basile, who led them to their last title win in 1993. Basile helped Argentina to two Copa America title victories in 1991 and 1993. Back to his second spell here he is only ninety minutes away to take aloft the coveted trophy. Having three world best strikers who scored 16 goals among them, Teves, Messi and Requelme at the front line, with the best back four of the tournament conceding only three goals, Alfio Basile appeared to fear no one let alone the current Brazil that limped all along the campaign.
Five win out of five, Argentina currently on top of world soccer, whether FIFA said it or not, are riding high to bring the glory day back to the nation of world soccer great Armando Diego Maradona.
Today’s cup final clash not only brings soccer giants Brazil and Argentina to dwell on who is the greatest, but also between Brazil’s Robinho with six and Argentina’s golden boy Requelme with five goals to win top scorer of the tournament. “We play patiently Basil said moving our rivals all over the field until they get tired and we start filling the score board.”
Can Argentina, fourteen times Latin American champions, perform this on Brazil, the side that thrashed them 4-0 in world club championship cup final two years back?

sport commentry

Sport not color blind?

I am not sure why International Athletics Associations Federation (IAAF) decided to cancel out those athletics events African athletes exceled in, the annual six cities golden league athletics meetings.
Long distance athletics belongs to Africans especially the East African nations and Asians fast coming into the picture as it is true Americans and Europeans are dominating short distances and any thing in the name of jumps and throws. Until the current season the world all over came to golden league with what all have.
Hardly with good reasons except it is not fair to award a million dollar jack pot to an African running in European mega cities, IAAF announced last season that there is no more jack pot in 3000, 5000 and 10,000 meters where athlete from Africa are the only ones in the high lights.
I believe million dollars is too much money only fair to give those who worked hard for big achievements. Doing so inspires people to work hard for bigger purposes in life and steer them face a challenge how ever it is gut rigging. How ever IAAF appeared to forget (of course purposely) that sport is nothing but a way of inspiring motivating people to higher deeds.
See how the one and only athlete in the planet to win two successive Olympic marathon gold medals, Abebe Bikila, inspired all time world great athlete Haile Gebreselassie who in turn inspired Derartu Tulu, Kenenisa Bekele, Tirunesh Dibaba, Meseret Defar and many other Ethiopian athletes-now role models all over the world. Isn’t Athens Olympic double gold medalist Hesham Al Gouraj a pride of Morocco? How do Kenyans react when meat by Paul Tergat, world marathon record holder? What about the Chinese feeling about their 10,000 meter world champion? Is Paula Radcliff not British’s idol? What about Michael Jordan, a sports man above race and color that inspired many black and whites to greatness?
A sport achievement by it self does mean nothing but it is what lies behind it that is inspiring people to face challenge and hard undertakings. At the aftermath of second world war, beaten in humiliation, the Germans were looking for a hero to inspire them as a nation to go head high and they discovered that inspiration through one of the world all time greats Franz Beckenbauer other wise known as the Kaiser. Nine years after the end of the Second World War, Germany won the 1954 world cup led by the Kaiser. They still refer him as Kaiser, an equivalent of King and worship him still. Sport heroes are there to only inspire people for higher purposes.
Therefore, why dose the Golden League athletics meeting excludes African and Asian athletes to achieve what is hard to achieve and in the mean time inspire their respective nations to greatness?
Now the Golden League meetings are only for European and American athletes for they excel in the remaining disciplines. Tell me, is Javlin or High Jump or Pole Vault or Long Jump more challenging and entertaining than 10,000 meter race? What about the 3,000 and 5000 meter show downs? Which ones are more exciting? Which ones are more of show cases to hard work and its fruit at the end?
I do not mean the others should be cancelled out and long distance races take place. I said let it go on as usual bringing the world together as sport is the symbol of love ,peace and unity. It is above the rookie bureaucrats set of mind. Let us all come to the podium then let anyone good enough take the jackpot of life. Then is the time we all come to sense that sport is an inspiration to greatness. Otherwise what is sport after all?

Former national team coach Sewnat return home

Arguably the most successful Ethiopian national team head coach Sewent Bishaw, returned home after a short spell in the Yemen league.
Claimed to carn ETB 27000 a month salary together with a sedan for personal usage, Sewnet traveled to Yemen early this season only to stay for six months then pack home. At the time when the deal came in line, Sewnet was busy with the national senior side three weeks away from its first leg second round match against Namibia in Windhoek. With unconvincing 1-0 qualification group opening home win against Libya, Sewnet was under heavy critics from every corner witheven roomers were that of sacking him before it is too late.
However, Sewnet, the first Ethiopian national coach to win championship title in foreign land, submitted his resignation on grounds of the new lucrative contract deal with the Yemeni side and has no time to stay until the second away match against Namibia. According to insiders Sewnet was under pressure from EFF to resign before the second match, the remaining talks simply a window dressing.
Nevertheless, CECAFA cup winner Sewnet openly stated he is to travel to Yemen sooner for that lucrative contract deal is not to wait for him until eternity. EFF accepted his resignation rather hastily with a blessing to his future. Sure, Sewnet took over head coach to…. and the story goes he finished the Yemen league first round campaign with color that is fifth on the table and a new club record of finishing the first round campaign with color that is of finishing the first round with no defeat.
While many with that news eagerly waited if he is to become the second Ethiopian coach next to reigning champion Seyoum Kebede to win Yemen league titles, he suddenly decided to return home in mid season in anguish. According to the former national team coach the club that signed him failed to abide by the contract agreement. “You have no guarantee whether your next salary for a month or two is coming “Sewnet told TV sport talk show. “By no means is Yemen soccer better than its Ethiopian counter part. It is chaotic, hardly with any governing law concerning contract agreements. Sure the salary on paper is by far better but forget about regularity. You can stay for months with out pay.” remarked Sewnet in frustration in the mean time with some advice for young players better to stick with home football at least until they reach retirement age.
Despite the Yemen league, defending champion Seyoum Kebede and former head coach to different premier league clubs Abraham Mebratu and more than half dozen players are still there, Sewnet decided to return home saying enough for a six month hard time. “With grown up children and a happy home Sewenet said why should he suffer in a foreign land. Wind has already started blowing that Sewnet might be appointed to one of the prominent Ethiopian premier league clubs in the coming new season.