World all time best ever player living legend Pele has played a game in Cape Town to mark the world’s noblest man Nelson Mandela’s 89th birth day. The match between Africa’s best with Eto, Abedi Pele, Hossam Hassan, and the likes Vs World Best with stars Gullet, Zamorano, and Guerero, ended 3-3,. FIFA organizer of the tournament, presented a football shirt with number 89 on the back to world most respected politician Mandela who served 27 years in Robbin Island prison, through team captains Samuel Eto and the great Pele. Capital wishes Nelson Mandela and the people of South Africa many more birthday.

Meseret brings first all African games gold medal
Nahom with bronze in hurdles

Ethiopia took the all African Games ninth edition first gold medal through Olympic gold medalist Meseret Defar to end the gold medal drought in the biggest African sports event next to the soccer tournament.
Seventeenth on the medal table with silver and bronze medals in Paralympics1500 and 3000 meter thanks to gallant performance of Tesflem Gebru, Meseret finally broke the dead lock to bring gold to Ethiopia. World-renowned distance runners Meseret Defar and former world youth cross-country champion Meselech Melkamu had been favorites to thee event despite arch rival Kenyans vetran athletes took part. The two stayed together until they made sure that they are too far away from the pack before the battle for the ultimate victory. Meseret snatched the gold clocking 15; 02; 72 to cover the 5000-meter distance followed by Meselech who claimed the silver in 15:03:86. Die- hard Kenyans Sylvia Kebet and Ester Mayna finished third and fourth respectively.
Ethiopia won the second gold medal in half marathon through Deriba Mergi on Friday. Heart- broken for missing the 10,000 meters gold to the Kenyan, Ethiopian athletics squad compensated by Deriba’s hard work in the 21 km event. Astede Bayesa also brought medal after heavy challenge from her East African rivals. Astede came second in women’s half marathon.
Tadesse Tola’s big effort to win the 10000-meter gold medal aborted when Kenyans rose for the occasion in high gear. Nevertheless, Tadesse stayed on course until the final dashing where he came out second to bring home additional silver medal. Compatriot Gebregziabher G/ Mariam finished third. “The going is getting tougher to Ethiopians” claimed a Kenyan newspaper in its front page. Little known athlete Nahom Mesfin brought home a bronze medal in not so popular among Ethiopians discipline since Eshetu Tura who won Olympic silver in the distance. Nahom took the bronze medal finishing the 3000-meter hurdle following Kenyans Wali Kemen and Eskel Kimbal. Young Wali took the gold clocking 8:15:11 while hot favorite Olympic championship Ezkel settled for the silver crossing the line 8:16:23.
Ethiopia’s quest for medals in short distance failed to come when national 100 meters champion Wotre Gelelcha finished seventh at the final while in the women’s 100-meter distance. Atkelt Wubshet even could not make it into the final failing in the first qualification race. In the past All African Games Ethiopia collected 86 medals out of which 23 gold, 29 silver and 34 bronze.

Despite the deadlock, EFF National General Assembly takes place Saturday

Hardly an effort from both sides to break the dead lock the Ethiopian national general assembly takes place the coming Saturday the venue not yet disclosed.
Accused of failing to proper administration to Ethiopian premier league football, Ethiopian football federation set the date for the general assembly following strong pressure from not less than twelve premier league clubs and government offices. How ever, the executive committee led by Dr Asheber W/Giorgis, set an ultimatum for the run away league clubs to resume the annual schedule if not with a serious if not with a serious consequences to follow.
On the other hand the twelve run away premier league clubs that formed a provisional union, Saint’s broad chairman Abenet G/meskel as the leader and submitted an enquiry letter having ten points out of which the two most sensitive are the call of the general assembly and the formation of league association. The Union said no to EFF’s ultimatum and the stand- off as tense as ever.
EFF resumed the premier league schedule among six sides and awarded the championship title to Awasa Kenema that which the Union declared never to recognize the champion.
With all this at hand anxiously awaited national general assembly called for Saturday Mekele or Awasa the likely venues to host the occasion. Mekele football governing body already announced its stand not to disobey EFF even with all its failures and Awasa,the stronghold of Dr Asheber and awarded the title, many said the assembly is taking place in one of these two cites highly favoring of the president and his current administration.
Couple of Years back it is recalled the then deputy minister to youth and sport Ato Meleaku Petros who had been battling against Dr Asheber, called the national general assembly at Ambo town 150 km from Addis Ababa. Ato Melaku said to have the intention of taking a bit too far from the capital in order to discourage half hearted attendants. The Ambo drama, staring Getahun G/Giorgis, currently director to National sport Federation ended in favor of the then deputy minister that is electing a new executive body to govern Ethiopian football. Of course later on with FIFA’s intervention, the whole drama wiped out to hail Dr Asheber as president.
Hanging the run away clubs strong voice Abenet Gebremeskel to dry for three years tagging on his head the clear message to the remaining club leaders, the then victim, now president to Ethiopian football federation Dr Asheber openly declared that he expects nothing new from the national general assembly.
“What a saint Melaku Petros was comparing to Dr Asheber” said a club committee member.” Melaku was the first to understand Dr Asheber’s intention and he tried his best to avoid him. Many of us denounced Melaku at the time, now I really regretted and willing to apologize” He added.

Kenenisa back in form Legesse
set new youth record

Back in form, five times world cross country double champion Kenenisa Bekele clocked his fastest time and crushed the venue’s record to win the 3000 meter race in Norwich Union Grand Pree athletics meeting. This is the first victory for Kenenisa since his controversial walk out from Mombassa-Kenya world cross country championship.
Although Olympic gold medalist Kenenisa’s presence at the meeting meant only a runner up position is vacant for others, Australian Craig Motram who defeated Kenenisa in the 3000 meter race last season to be real threat to make it again.
Twice world 3000 meter champion Motram’s recent amazing performance in winning the 5000 Ostrava athletics meeting also triggered some buzz speculation weather he could once again raise to the occasion. European cross country champion Mofara was also among the favorites in Sheffield.
How ever Kenenisa who told reporters before the race that this is his first ever event in Donvalli stadium and wants to win his debut stood to his word winning the race in awesome finish. Kenenisa’s finishing time 7:26:69 is the best time for him plus a new record for Donvalli, crushing the eight years old 7:29:69 record held by his mentor Haile Gebreselassie. “It was sweet victory and I am very happy to win under such hard weather” Kenenisa stated after the race. Craig Motram came second in 7:35:00 nine seconds late from double world long distance record holder Kenenisa Bekele.
In the 400 meter event American Angelo Taylor took gold with out much fuss. Hot favorite Olympic and world champion Jeremy Warner Warner walked out in mid race and the other favorite Pist Ories in bad form, Taylor finished the race easy in 45:25.
In another atletics story the small team of nine athletes improved the country’s joint-best ever medal haul of three medals to four as the squad one gold, a silver, and two bronze.
Topping the list of achievements was Legesse Lemiso who ran a world youth lead time in the boys’ 2000m steeplechase to take victory in 5:30.81 ahead of Kenyan Silas Kiptum and Moroccan Abdellah Dacha.
In the women’s 3000m, Mahlet Melese and Sule Utura followed Kenyan Mercy Cherono across the line to finish second and third, while Dawit Wolde won bronze over the 1500m.
The results helped Ethiopia finish joint-tenth in the medals’ table tied with Australia and Cuba on four medals.

Brazil win Latin America soccer cup final
Adios smart football

World cup former hatchetman, Carlos Dunga, proved himself and his efficiency over flair style of play as the best of Latin American soccer, thrashing historical rivals Argentina to a 3-0 defeat in front of an unbelieving sell out crowd at the one billion dollar venue Pachencho Romero stadium. Even without super stars Ronalidinho and Caca, Dunga led his full of start-up squad to Copa America 8th title against all odds.
Intent in reclaiming the crown after fourteen years wait, the 14 time Copa America champions, Argentina, reached the Venezuelan cup final with a hundred percent record, scoring seventeen goals while conceding only four. Star studded Argentina featured the likes of Lionel Messi, Tavez and Riquelme failed to matter when things were really at stake. Ask any Brazil fan who is this diminutive magician by the name Lionel Messi and he will tell you that he never heard of that name. It is hard to believe how Brazilians managed to choke such a marveling side. Was there luck? No way: luck by itself can’t score three goals.
Though the Blue and Whites unveiled dramatic moments all the way up to the cup final, though world class displays go together with marveling goals, though Brazil reached the final wobbling through with an opening match defeat, though the world including the very Brazilians were against Dunga’s best eleven, though Argentina was every one’s favorite, the five time world champions once again proved the world almighty himself is Brazilian.
Giant Batista, equally known as the Beast, opened the flood gates just four minutes into the game collecting a counter attacking ball to send it home over the stunned Argentina goalie ….Following the stunning goal, the champions retreated home to frustrate their opposites with nine men in defense. Juan Ramon Riquelme had had a great chance to score only to rebound after kissing the cross bar. Had it found the back of the net many contemplated, the whole drama might end differently.
While Argentina stay busy on the opposite half and the half time whistle five minutes away, Roberto Ayala , skipper to the favorites, went to a flying tackle to clear a ball from his penalty but only to slot it into his own net. It was a sorry squad returned to the dressing room with all heads down
Considering manager Alfio Basile’s previous suggestion that he has every talent at his disposal, Argentina were expected to make a dream come back against nine men Brazilian defense. Front men Batista and Robinho even had their own part to play in the defense. “Adios magic and flair.”
Back into the second half with little help from the manager, Argentina stayed in the opposite field only looking for some mistake to pop up from Dunga’s well drilled defensive tactic. When ever Tavez, Messi or Riquelme posses a ball, two Brazil hounds in their wake.
Dani Aves who came from the bench in the second half collected a ball sent from the center half to send it home at the 69th minute, the final blow over star studded Argentina. with Brazil champion for the 8th time with Robinho crowned top scorer. For the third place play-off, Mexico trounced Uruguay 3-1 to claim the bronze medal. CONMEBOL is to award the next Copa America cup final to Argentina but Mexico coming with a strong bid it is yet to be decided.

Sending saints

I could not believe my eyes as well as ears reading and listening in three day’s difference how formerly Ethiopian football federation public relations employee Dawit Negussie appeared a Saint out of the blue. When I watched ETV sports talk show, I heard him trying to advise young players never to run for easy money in Yemen league than following their carrier as footballers at home until they reach retirement ages. Well, the theory might be right for I know not too much about Yemens football. However, hearing this from Dawit I couldn’t believe my ears.
Knowing Dawit Negussie since my university years, he is a smart guy never to hesitate to stand on your toe if he thinks advantage is there to grab. He doesn’t mind how he gets but I know he go for it regardless of how.
One incident is the way how he muscled out Alemseged Mamo, the first to host ETV channel II sports talk show. Alemseged tried every thing to win the case but failed and Dawit became the star performer. For Dawit the talk show was simply a stepping stone for his ambition to reach high in the sport’s circle. Once he achieved popularity he waited for the best opportunity to come while working as sports journalist. Then came the opportunity that is the public relations office of the Ethiopian football federation.
In no time he kicked out his journalist profession to become spokes man to the federation. Armed with his ILS degree, he was sure he would make it fast on the ladder to where he thought the Ice Cream is. I recalled the Ethiopian sports journalist general assembly to elect new leadership. Almost every one in the hall vowed never to vote for Dawit. As if plotted together every one agreed he is not a man for such a position for fear of his attitude to exploit the association for his personal benefit. Dawit missed the chance and I know he was furious about it.
Dawit made the cardinal mistake of undermining the federation bureaucrats who have been there long even before his birth date. He made the same mistake the late Endalek Kelemework did with a college degree heading technique committee of Ethiopian athletics federation. Had Dawit been wise enough, he would have learnt how Endalek galloped through EAF hierarchy in no time and knighted himself a mountain never to fall down. He even went to become a strong critic on how old styled the world renowned athletics’ coaches Dr. Woldemeskel Kostre and Yilma Berta were.
The legendry bureaucrats in the federation didn’t like Endalek’s king maker role and they plotted against him to his fast down fall. “The higher you go the harder you fall” came true and he went home his tail between the legs. That is what happened to Dawit the dreamer. He took the office but never once helped information about the federation. Even the confrontation of the federation Vs the boycotted clubs was never an issue to Dawit good enough to call his attention. You know it is a tricky issue and I was sure he was waiting for the right time to join one side. In the meantime he wanted to play as a journalist as well as a public relations at the same time. It must be to make place for him that the women footballer’s pushed him down from the plane at the last moment. Why was it important for Dawit the presence in Morocco?
He should have been at home to see off the women’s national side then to receive their arrival. The bureaucrats, who already sensed Dawit’s aggressive move kept quite when he boarded the plane at the expense of the remaining players. The moment he took off they started to dig a hole big enough for his burial. I was almost to choke while laughing when I read his brief interview saying he went to Morocco not as a public relations but a as a media personality. He gave them the rope to hang him and that is what they did. Even if he was not to resign they would have sacrificed him for the ill treatment of the women national team on their arrival. I said he is lucky he didn’t lose the talk show. One thing he came back smart was not mentioning names when asked who must be responsible for the fiasco. He said he doesn’t want to mention names, smart but a bit late. He got matured in no time and backed off not to throw stones against the Ethiopian athletics federation’s veteran bureaucrats. What a chance to miss? ?I was amazed to read the Saint hood of Dawit in your paper.