FIFA’s eighth president Joseph Sepp Blatter unanimously voted to his third term as president of the world soccer governing body. Though many say seventy-one years old patriarch is as aristocratic as his predecessor Joao Havelange is, all the 207 FIFA member associations blessed his tenure to lead them to the next five years. Seventeen years as secretary of FIFA under Havelange, Blatter’s ascend to the throne is the fastest - a testimony for his shrewd yet effective leadership. Sepp Blatter‘s third term will see him in office until 2011. The president, ardent supporter African football, told reporters in his third term opening speech, 2010 World Cup final takes place in South Africa. “Plan A is South Africa, plan B is South Africa, and plan C is South Africa,” said Blatter.

Tafesse on hot trail to retain top scorer crown

Twenty matches into the Ethiopian premier league, national team and Ethiopian Coffee striker, Tafesse Tesfaye and Air Force front man Dawit Fekadu are jointly leading scorers of the table each with eleven goals. A hat trick on the last match against Methara Sugar FC before the season called –off for its umpteenth time, Saint George’s giant Nigerian striker Ochichi is closely following behind.
The fast and strongly built Tafesse Tesfaye, reigning top scorer of the premier league used to be the hottest favorite to retain his crown for there appeared no accomplished goal scorer in the picture until recently. How ever, Air Force FC’s Dawit came out of the blue almost finding the back of the net in regular bases. For a side that scored nineteen goals and conceded 23, Dawit’s achievement stands taller than Tafesse for Ethiopian Coffee has better squad who helps their front man. Coffee scored 36 while conceding only 15 and Tafesse’s eleven goals are a third from the total while Dawit’s are more than half. Now riding high together with the side’s performance Saint George’s Ochichi seem the one to challenge Tafesse for the season’s best scorer award. Surrounded by the nation’s best talents plus almost half a dozen foreign players Ochichi as well as Saint George appeared the strongest to finish on top of the tables.
Ochchi had been with only five goals until the last two matches where he grabbed five goals. Two goals against Tikur Abay Transport FC, followed by a hat trick over Methara Sugar,at that humiliating 7-0 score line, the Nigerian is now poised in poll position to become the first foreigner to finish Ethiopia premier league top scorer of the season. Insurance FC striker Abdul Feta Nasir and Awasa Kenema’s goal poacher Getahun Ashamo are joint third on the table with seven goals each to their name. Third on the table, Awasa Kenema scored 28 goals while conceding 17. Getahun scored quarter of the over all tally that is hardly an easy job. Seyoum Abate’s Insurance now 10th on the table with 22 points appears a side with weak strike force yet producing one of the premier league-leading scorers. Insurance scored 22 goals in the mean time conceding 29 that left the side with seven goals deficit. Abdul Feta’s seven goals are what helped Insurance to break away from the relegation zone. For sure, Tafesse believes the federation is not to miss count this time?

Back on track, legendary Haile clocked fastest time
Kenenisa, Seleshi & Gelete take gold

For the first time on track since Athens Olympic three years back, world all time great distance runner Haile G/selssie finished fifth in 10 km race in Henglo-Netherlands while Olympic silver medalist Seleshi Sehene and world cross country gold medalist Gelete Burka clocked the season’s best time on the way collecting the gold medals. Olympic gold medalist Kenenisa Bekele also performed as expected that is victory.
Henglo, the city as good home away home to legendry Haile G/selassie is one of the few venues in the world suitable for long distance races. Thus, Ethiopians always expected to win regardless of gender did exactly.
Mr Henglo –Haile, finished fifth yet it is one of the fastest times in record for 10000 meters to finish the race in 26:52:81 followed by four of his compatriots. Haile’s return to truck after years in absence said to honor Henglo, his favorite city.
Gelete Burka’s win over strong Kenyan contenders won her big acclaim that she performed too strong in the final few laps. Mombassa gold medalist Lorna Kiplagart and her sister Jibet Kiplagart were pre-race favorites to win the 5000 meter. However, Gelete fastened her pace in the last two rounds that discourage the Kenyans as well as the Dutch – Kenyan Lorna Kiplagart. Gelete finished the race in world best time 14:38:18 followed by Florence Jibet Kiplagart and Prisca Japlating who finished 14:40:74 and 14:42 respectively. Mombassa gold medalist Kiplagart finished sixth.
Back from injury after nine months to win in Spain, Seleshi Sehen had been in his worst form for months before his journey to Henglo and his astonishing win clocking world fastest time covering the 10KM in 26:48:73. After a strong challenge from the two renowned Kenyans, Guid Kepchoge and Moses Mossup, Seleshi’s victory is said to be the sign that he returned to his previous strong form. Kipchoge took silver in 26:49:02 while Moses crossed the finishing line in 26: 49: 55 to claim the bronze. Former world youth champion Ethiopian G/egziabher G/mariam came fourth followed by Haile Gebreselassie and fellow Ethiopians Deribu Mergiam Ali Abdosh, Habtamu Fekadu and Esshetu Alemu respectively..
Currently the world number one distance runner who walked out in mid race in Mombassa under carrier threatening hot weather, Kenenisa once again showed his mightiness when it comes to athletics. Double world long distance record holder Kenenisa sped out of the flock 250 meters from the finishing line never to look back. In 8:13:51, Kenenisa won the two miles Henglo –Netherlands gold medal.

Home athletes dominate Pan-African meeting

In commemoration of “African Day “ the second Pan –African athletics meeting among six East African nations was held in Addis Ababa in which Ethiopian athletes dominated the occasion.
In the event where Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Djibouti took part the host nation’s athletes known for the long distance races appeared to have abundant talents even in short and middle distances who can stand head high at international athletics meetings.
Short distance rising national athlete Wetere Gelelcha won two gold medals in 100 and 200 meters. The new athletics star is bettering and bettering his time now, he is only 15 micro seconds late to finish the 100 meter in less than ten seconds that is the finishing range at international level. Wetere won the 100-meter gold medal in 10:15 followed by Mohamed Jud Misban in 10:60. Abyot Lencho came third in 10:61, Tanzanian Yeshin Muhadin finished fourth followed by two athletes from home.
Negmeldin Ali from Sudan challenged Wetere almost to the finishing line only to finish second in the 200 meter shown down. Clenching and unclenching his jaw, Wetere stayed on course until the finishing line to take his second gold medal in 20:84 with Negmeldin coming in 21:36. Mohamed Jud Misbak crossed the line in 21:52 to win the bronze making his medal tally to two. The women’s 200-meter gold medal went to Sudanese Faiza Omar who clocked 24:40 followed by Ethiopian Atkelt Wubshet coming home in 24:75 to claim the silver medal. Considering her recent national performance many taught Atkelt would snatch the gold. How ever, Faiza proved too strong for the top spot. In 25:03, Bethlehem Shewatatek finished third.
Uganda Justin Baiga denied Ethiopians the gold medal in the 100-meter show down. Justin clocked 11:81 to win top spot followed by Atkelt who took her second silver in 12:18 while her compatriot Leaynet Alemu took bronze in 12:23.
It was more than a medal sweep in the 800-meter women race for Ethiopian athletes. The race was so fierce among the Ethiopian athlete in which Beshawork Aman clocked 2:06:35 to win the gold medal. Mechawork Ghion and Gezahnne Hunduma finished second and third respectively. The Men’s 800 meter was purely a Ugandan and Kenyan show down Ethiopian Demelash Kebede won an outside third place. Gedon Muange from Kenya took gold in 1:48:01 while Ugandan Jimi Adar in 1:48:36 took silver. Hottest favorite to win the race Sudanese Abubaker Kamis finished eighth.
Ruzia Omar of Sudan snatched the 400-meter women’s gold medal, the second for her countr, in 53:84 second came 100-meter gold medalist Ugandan Justin Bayenga in 53:91. Ethiopian Abebech Aregawi finished third in 56:11. The 1500 and 3000 meter showdowns were exclusively an Ethiopian party that ended in medal sweep. No one dared to challenge Ethiopians in the distance.

Historical Great Ethiopian Run on millennium eve

Exclusively for Ethiopian Millennium celebration, African greatest road race, “Great Ethiopian Run” latest edition is set to take place on the eve of Ethiopian New Year Sunday, September 9, 2007.
In event launching press conference held at Addis Ababa Hilton “Great Ethiopian Run” organizing committee announced that the historical event the “7th Great Ethiopian Run” brings together 30000 participants including many international acclaimed invited athletes for the race. World Marathon record holder and long time track arch rival for great Haile, Paul Tergat is so far the confirmed guest of honor for the millennium race.
Great Ethiopian Run director living legend Haile Gebreselassie said in the press conference that the 7th edition is a unique one for it is part of the Ethiopian Minimum celebration party.
Under the title sponsorship “Toyota” in association with MOENCO share company, arguably the Millennium’s greatest well coming event, the 7th Great Ethiopian Run brings together the highest ever participants in 30000 that is 5000 more than the previous year. Add to that the officially unregistered yet happy to be part o the party participants, at least 35000 racers are expected to hit the road. Just three days before Ethiopian New year as well as the turn of the third century, the historical event promises to be particularly special.
“Toyota” title sponsors for the fourth year in a row, there also are the big sponsors of the event that is Ethiopia Air Lines, DKT Ethiopia, UNICEF, GTZ, the British Embassy, European Union and Aqua Addis extending their full support to give super color to make the 7th Great Ethiopian Run as unique as the Millennium celebration itself.

Ethiopia roaring victory over DR Congo
Saladin gives lifeline for home side

Backed by the recent time biggest ever recent home crow, the Ethiopian national senior side featured one of its best ever performance climaxed by 1-0 victory over group favorite visiting Democratic Republic Congo. Suddenly the Ethiopian side became a strong contender for the group top place and qualification for the nation’s cup final for the first time since twenty-six years.
While the nation’s football in big crisis and the sport’s family in mourning, headcoach Tesgaye Desta and assistant Kemal Ahmed assembled an inspired side capable of braking the impossible task of defeating one of the continent’s popular side DR Congo to rub shoulder with equal seven points from four matches. What is more surprising than the victory it self is the commitment of the squad that made the spectators wild and proud that the score line is short of telling the whole story.
Fikru Tefera and Tafese Tesfaye in front, Lemi, Adane, Dawit and Sebsebe in the midfield, Degu, Yared and Yonas at the back the 3-4-3 formation turned out the most successful one. With superb flexible formation, the home side went for an all out attacking play paid off ten minutes in to the break. when left winger Dawit Mebratu galloped to the touch line to cross a ball to Congo’s defender week clearance that found Tafesse Tesfaye who sent a strong volley that spilled off the goal keeper’s hand to meet fast riding Saladin Said who neatly put the goal in to the back of the net.
Even with out prize player Lumanwa Lwa Lwa no one expected a win even though it was a home game. Nevertheless, ninety minutes later, it was one of the most praised performances the home side featured. A searching ball from the defense line Congo strikers were superb in ball control although the home side gave them no breathing space to let them have their trick. Nevertheless, the home side fully dominated the match, displaying unprecedented midfield movements and breathes taking commitment to deny the visitors’ a place to exploit. If that is what really, the Ethiopian side is capable of which national side is to qualify as group winner is only to be decided on the final matches. Fikru had had two golden chances in the injury time but wasted it. As a second leg encounter the goal tally would have gave Ethiopia the edge to contend for the group winner spot that is an automatic qualification.
Ethiopia has two matches remaining that are an away match against Libya and the other against Namibia at home. Congo and Ethiopia are leading the group with seven points the other two to play each other today. Eleven of the group winners, three best runner-ups, the defending champion and the host nation adds up to the final sixteen nations for the 2008 Ghana African cup of nations cup final.

Ethiopia versus South Africa Olympic clash today

Ethiopian Olympic national team kicks- off its qualification campaign entertaining South African counter part today at Addis Ababa stadium.
Crashing out Algerian counterparts in the preliminary qualification rounds, the Ethiopian Olympic side made it into the group stage for the first time in recent years. Drawn together with African soccer heavy weights, South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana in a group dubbed as the death group of the qualification campaign, the home team faces the toughest task to book a place at 2008, Beijing Olympics soccer cup final.
Led by former popular Ethiopian national team and Omedla left winger head coach Tesfaye Fetene, the home side have been in intensive two times a day preparation for today’s opening match against South Africa. Though the going appears tough, having the opening match at home soil and in front of home crowd would be best opportunity to a moral boosting start of a campaign. A win is a must condition to fulfill the dream of booking a place in an Olympic soccer cup final. How ever, only a win with out superior goal margin might as well be fatal at the final count.
Head coach Tesfaye Fetene told reporter that soccer result is not a matter of assumption rather it is the fruit of hard work. “We worked hard and we are ready to battle out with whom ever in the group” Tesfaye remarked.
Team skipper Adane Girma in his part said that it is good to face strong sides for you can have the real picture where your football stood. “Considering what sacrifice we paid to reach to the group qualification stage, we are committed to go all the way” added Adane in most patriotic stance. The second away groups match against former Olympic bronze medalist Ghana takes place in August in the capital Accra.

One man show

Once Champion of Ethiopian football, Dr Asheber W/Giorgis is now branded as football enemy number one by the seven premier league clubs based in the capital city. Having the public and mass medias strong support while he was batting against the then sport deputy minister Ato Melaku Petros, going to great length as far to FIFA-Zurich office, Dr Asheber reinstated to his presidency and every one concerned praised him as a man for Ethiopian football bright future. Just two years in the throne the country’s biggest clubs mainly those in the capital ganged up to challenge his executive committee accusing of bad administration and to some extent dictatorship.
More tenacious as a lawyer than a businessperson (he is claimed as one of the richest public official owning chains of dental clinics), he survived the big battle thanks to the strong muscle from FIFA headquarter on the grounds of the organization is by itself a government hardly to tolerate government interference.
However, an eleven members’ executive committee elected, many former federation insiders, Dr Asheber appeared more inclined to one-man show than a functional committee. He was as good as the federation spokes person appearing at every interview whether it is technical, tactical, administration say, it and he was the Albert Einstein of EFF. During the past two years except the miraculous East African championship victory, there seem nothing changed to the better may be for the worth.. Dr Asheber is more to be remembered by clashing with any body who is somebody around football. “Tell me with whom he did not exchange punches “my friend often reminds me. All this two years except in very few occasions, no one from the executive committee ever appeared in the name of EFF except him self. It may not be appropriate, but what does this mean except one thing that it is a dictatorship. Forget the local punch throws. He went all along to a replay of a CECAFA match where Ethiopia lost to Zambia had it not been for Fana Radio sport’s live transmission on which the public suggested strong opposition that made him back off. He also punched to a knock out two of the European coaches, Garzietto and Raoul who went to Zurich to submit their accusation for the world governing body FIFA, once his strong ally. Garzietto in his press conference said he can hardly swallow to call him a doctor. Seasons long stone throwing against two of the nation’s big sides Saint George and Ethiopian Coffee, an empty stadium premier league clashes every week and no one to care about it, the interruption of fixtures through out the season now it took more than six months to complete the first round this is the most chaotic ever two years in Ethiopian football history. “It is even worse than one man federation Tsehaye G/egziabher” my friend once again reminded me.
How ever, more than their stand in opposition of the season’s extension what surprised me much is the strong unity of the sides. Can you imagine Saint George’s Abnet G/Meskel sitting next to Ethiopian Coffee Fekade Mamo complimenting each other? “EFF used the hot disagreement between us to life extension” Abnet remarked to the conference. I got surprised with Fekade Mamo’s word that is “it really is a resurrection for Ethiopian football”. This is the first time they came together and take a stand for the common good of football in the country.
I assume it is going to be a staggering blow to Dr Asheber and his executive committee. The president’s absence from confronting the issue confirms my assumption. The committee has no choice except comply with the club’s demand and that is defeat number one for Dr Asheber while victory for the sides who had stayed in patience too long to their good. Kassahun Teka’s silly argument “we were to call the premier league clubs had they not taken this hasty measure cackled me a bit. Then he said it does not mean we were not to advice the clubs for the league suspension to make me even laugh louder. This shows me how much the executive committee feels so smart at the expense of the sport public. I think Dr Asheber feared to appear and sent deputies. Other wise he must be busy cooking some survival herb may be calling all 16 clubs and vote on the issue. Who knows may be he it could turn out nine to seven in favor of him. EFF secretary Ashenafi hinted that six or seven clubs does not mean the whole league. Thus traveling to regions with fresh promises then call a club meeting seems ideal. Dr Asheber has survived mightier battles than this one. What a genius.