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36th IAAF World Cross Country athletics showdown
Kenenisa Vs Zeresenay today

With the biggest event, the show down between world cross country defending champion Eritrean Zeresenay Tadesse and five times double gold medalist Kenenisa Bekele, the 36th IAAF world cross country championship takes place to day at Scotland- Edinburgh bringing together athletes from all around the world seventy nations.
As one of the biggest IAAF world athletics events the occasion brought the very best of distance runners to battle for glory in four races. Senior men and women, and junior men and women events take place to day at Haggis known for its steep incline and decent.
Ethiopia, one of the few renowned for dominating this event is represented by twenty five popular names.The list is topped by no other than twice world athlete of the season Kenenisa Bekele, king of world cross country for his five times double gold medals in 4 and 12 KMS events.
Spearheaded by Kenenisa, the seven men squad for the 12 KMS race include Olympic 10000 meter silver medalist Seleshi Sehen, G/Egziabher G/ Mariam, Abebe Dinkesa, Demsew Tsega, Habtamu Fekadu, Zenbaba Yigezu, Solomon Tsege and Derege Deble. The 12 KMS vent is the one dearly expected among world athletics fans for the fierce rivalry between Kenenisa and Zeresenay. It is recalled Zeresenay won in Mombassa two years back after Kenenisa withdrew for so far unknown reason while leading the pack from a distance. The rivalry heats on today in Edinburgh- Scotland .
Six women athletes line up for the seniors show down led by world championship youngest ever gold medalist Tirunesh Dibaba back from nursing serious back ache. World renowned Meseletch Melkamu, Gelete Burka, Koreni Jelila, Mestwat tufa and Aselefech Mergia are members of the strong squad expected for medal sweep.
Ibrahim Jelan leads the men’s junior squad complete with Ayaele Abshero, Hunenaw Mesfin, Degen G/ Meskel, Feyesa Lelisa and Emana Mergia. The junior’s squad is expected for unprecedented medal sweep for their current performance at best. The women junior squad comprised of six athletes those are Embet Etaa, Dibaba’s youngest Genzebe Dibaba, Bitew Yehune, Tigist Mamuye, Betelhem Moges and Emebet Bacha. The athletics delegates led by Dr Samson Bayu also comprised with five athletics coaches including world renowned athletics Coach Dr Woldemeskel Kostre and Moscow Olympics double gold medalist Mirtus Yefter.
Other nations the likes of U.S.America and Japan appeared frustrated for the domination of Ethiopia and Kenya . This time round America sent a strong 36 athletics squad led by well experienced ones while Japan , determined to an impressive success in Beijing Olympic lined up a twenty six member athletics team.

Saint George defeat Electric to claim top spot
Coffee appoint Tilahun

In front of the recent time biggest ever crowd at Addis Ababa Stadium on Thursday Ethiopian Coffee under newly appointed head coach Tilahun Mengesha defeated visitors Tikur Abay to a 3-1 score line while Saint George defeated in form city rival Electric FC 2-0 to take over top of the league table.
Having two matches in hand Saint George claimed the drivers seat, crushing Ethiopia Banks in the decisive wins in a row against city rivals Ethiopia Banks and Electric hot favorite to the millennium cup Saint George is now on the drivers seat with 37 points. Crushing Banks 3-0 over the week end the Saint’s encounter against the capital city’s second best side Electric on Thursday was highly expected among soccer fans that turned up in a sell out crowd. Six wins in a run Electric featured well organized short passes taking full control of the midfield even after central defender Daniel Yeshaw red carded for a last man foul in a penalty box. One thing remaining for Electric is bringing an accomplished striker that can finish what is started and cooked in the midfield. Saint’s took the lead with a header from Adane Girma seven minutes in to half time. Two minutes before the whistle last man Daniel tripped Salhadin to receive a marching order from the referee and Salhadin converted the spot kick for the second and final goal. Back in to the second half Saint’s head coach Mitcho failed to exploit the one man advantage and the match ended in a 2-0 score line.
The day’s opening match featured Ethiopian Coffee against visitors’ Tikur Abay ended in a 3-1 home victory. Tilahun Mengesha back to the hot seat for his second spell managed by far better side in his debut match. Tafesse Tesfaye back from injury and about five new faces Coffee won the day in style with two goals from currently the nation’s best striker Tafesse Tesfaye and the other from Binyam. Tilahun is the third Ethiopian Coffee head coach so far this season.
After 1-0 home victory over Ethiopia Banks defending champion Awasa Kenema is now second in the table with 33 points out of 18 matches. A goal less away draw against Harar brewery Mugher Cement is third with 30 points out of 18 matches followed by Electric with 30 points out of 14 matches.

Long live schools’ annual sports day

For anyone who watched the two fantastic second half goals at Millennium Addis Ababa schools sport festival soccer cup final the first thing to mind is why the event does not take place at regularly. Despite the common belief that schools are the very places for young talents to flourish, it is long since school’s annual sport’s festival cancelled out of calendar. Thanks to the national Millennium celebration, the capital city’s schools once again took the center stage of the capital’s sports fans, featuring varieties of sports events divided among sub-cities.
At the closing day of the almost two week event, the football cup final clash between Gulele Vs Yeka sub cities was one that humbled many at club levels. Although, the festival was full of color for many of the events, including athletics evenly contested, the football cup final show down was taken as the jewel on the crown.
For anyone who watched the cup final match between Yeka and Gulele sub cities he may end up amazed whether he is realy watching a school soccer match. By every standard except the amount of salary the players earning the cup final match between Yeka and Gulele was by far better action packed and interesting than the clash between the premier leagu clubs Saint George Vs Agricultural marketing FC. Those young talents were battling for every ball and always on the move to score goals. As of the two breath taking goals one from each side one can do nothing except doubting his own eyes. Both strong drives from more than twenty five meters the crowed went wild for it is a rare happening in the stadium.
One major message from the occasion is that of the importance of school sport festivals to produce young talents at every sport.
I am not sure the schools annual sport festival has ever been taken seriously since the time of Emperor Haileselassie, the king considered as father of modern Ethiopian education. All time Ethiopian great footballer Mengestu Worku and his contemporaries all are the products of the then popular high schools Medhanealem, Teferi Mekonen, Menlik, Technical School, and others. These schools used to have standard soccer fields complete with running trucks. I am not sure they still have those wide and green fields for the order of the day concerning schools is to register as much students as possible regardless of other yet very important facilities. However schools are still home to young talents who are very keen to be the talk of their peer groups.That is an important drive for some one to achieve higher goals. Especially football and athletics have no other better grounds to flourish than school grounds. Reigning world best athlete of the season Meseret Defar once said she is the result of school astic sport.
With that truth in mind in addition to producing healthy youngsters, school sport festivals need to have serious attention among those concerned bodies. Many government officials said it is going to be an annual event but from my past experience I am happy to bet against it. Nevertheless, I say please make the school’s sport festival an annual event and let’s harvest young sport talents and healthy new generation.

European league title run heats on,
Inter & Real Madrid lose at home

On Easter week end biggest clash English premier league leader Manchester United extended its lead while Real Madrid and Inter Milan inflicted a bitter home defeat that slashed off the point difference on top of the table.
The opening home goal coming from unlikely hero Wes Brown followed by the sending off of Argentinean defensive mid fielder Mascharano, Manchester United had had the best of opportunities to score at least half dozen goals. Although not at his best Reina saved the day for Liverpool punching out at least three golden chances by Rooney and Christiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese star Ronaldo headed in the second then marvelous third from young Nani who came in from the bench.
In the other big match Chelsea not only won the day 2-1 at home but also claimed the second spot for the first time in the season. The Gunners were the better side of the first half taking control of balls dominating the mid field then went on to open the score line through right winger Baakari Sanna’s 59th minute header . The home side never to find composure seem to loose the match for the first time at home in four seasons. How ever Avram Grants two substitutes made the difference. Once Nichols Anelika joined Didier Drogba in front and Michael Essein back to his mid field role the Blues took the upper hand that climaxed with two goals from Drogba to give his side the all important 2-1 victory. Currently a three horse race Manchester United leads the premier league table with 73 points followed by Chelsea with 68 then Arsenal third with 67 points. Christiano Ronaldo is leading the top scorer table with 25 followed by Torres (20) and Adebayor (19) goals.
In Italy hardly to recover since the season’s first defeat at the hands of Napoli , the league leaders Inter Milan surrendered at home for the first time in the season to historical rival Juventus. The visitors’ cautious approach for the game paid a dividend rattling Mancini’s side to finally give in for Juve took the lead through Camoranezi’s 49th minute goal followed by the second from David Trezegert fourteen minutes later. Inter’s consolation goal came seven minutes before the final whistle through Manich. The defeat slashed the point difference in to three after second place AS Roma defeated Empoli 2-1 at home. The home side took the lead through Pato’s first half goal before the visitor’s leveled five minutes in to the second half. Panucchi’s 63rd minute winning goal helped Roma close the gap in to four points. Inter Milan leads with 68, Roma second with 64 and Juventus far third with 58 points.
Two goals from the penalty spot followed by an 89th minute winning goal from Arzimendi, Spanish league leader Real Madrid lost at home to Valencia 3-2. The biggest home upset for club manager Bernard Schuster now the defending champions are only four points clear of historical rival Barcelona who returned with 4-1 victory over Valadolid. Villarreal seem a late comer for the title race after 2-1 away victory over Levante over the week end. Eight matches remaining Real Madrid is in the driving seat with 62 points followed by Barcelona and Villarreal with 58 and 56 points respectively.

Champions’ league quarter final clash starts on Tuesday; Roma Vs United, Arsenal Vs Liverpool

The 2008 European championship quarter final phase brought together four English premier league clubs and one each from Spain , Italy , Germany and Turkey .
Although many suggest the all English clash between Arsenal and Liverpool is the one eagerly awaited, others ask what is new between two English clubs. “At present both sides at their best form, the Roma Vs Manchester United clash is the biggest clash of the quarter final stage” they argue. We are to see on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Barcelona travels to Germany to visit Fc Schake with the hope of coming back with at least a point like they did against Celtic the last time around. Frank Rijkaard has his squad in red alert for the encounter any one can be called for the battle. Eto or Henry, Eniesta or Sesma, Ronaldinho or Sesma, he is like to have his choice while Schalke is as good as limited to only German talent.
On the days other match it is the big clash between AS Roma and United. Led by in good form Toti, second on Italian league Roma has every power to defeat the visitors at home. How ever winning at home is not only enough as seen last time. Manchester entertained Roma to 7-2 victory at Old Trafford and the night mare still stays. Rooney leads the Red Devils squad determined to finish the job on Roma own turf. “We know them, and they know us better” Ferguson remarked after the draw. Manager Luciano Spletti is said to be neither to forget no forgive such big inflicts while Toti is true Roman who likes revenge taken cold.
On Wednesday five times champion Liverpool travels to Emirates for the first leg clash which is the more important of the two legs. With limited squad thanks to Arsene Wengers ego, Arsenal may not only miss the chance of going through to the semi final stage but also the 450000 Pound UEFA allotted for each of the semi finalists. Rafael Benitez now out of premier league title run has one thing to anchor with Liverpool that is taking the title for the second time in three years.
Lucky Chelsea is once again drawn against the relatively easiest side Turkish Fenerbache FC. Nevfer to win the title Blues has the biggest hope on Avram Grant to bring home what Maurinho failed to deliver. Other wise Avram’s stay at Stamford Bridge is unlikely. The Turkish side led by former world popular Brazilian Zico has nothing to loose if defeat comes their way. There fore one never knows what a free mind can do. The return leg takes place two weeks later.
The battle of Rooney Vs Toti

Sport Briefs

Meriam Yusuf Jemal, former Ethiopian athlete, now with Bahrain citizenship, is back home this time as a leading investor. She is Osaka world athletics championship gold medalist
Meriam told a reporter on her flight from Madrid to Frankfurt that she has started building an eight storey four star hotel in the vicinity of Bole International Airport. According to the world renowned athlete Meriam and her husband Tarik, also on the fight, construction would end after a year and the hotel complete with Swimming pool and Gymnasium will start business.

Former Valencia successful manager Rafael Benitez joined managers’ speculation list for Barcelona’s new appointment if at all Frank Rijkaard moves out in the summer. Four seasons and a champions league title later Benitez seem to no love lost with Liverpool’s new owners. With Jose Maurinho coming to Anfield roamer like wild fire, Benitez highly favored by Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta , Benitez seem ready for a return home. Club directors Ferran Soriano and Marc Ingla both admirers of Jose Maurinho the Nou Camp appointment is sure to be decided in a battle.

In his second match since his appointment as national England manager Fabio Capello lost an away friendly against much impressing France on Wednesday. Hundred cups for David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand with the arm band for the very first time England lost 1-0 the goal from the spot kick through Ribery. Despite some golden chances thrown away by the hosts particularly Nicholas Aneilka, new manager Capello told reporters he is happy that his side is progressing fast. It is recalled Capello won his debut match against Switzerland 2-1.

Former Ethiopian Coffee popular player Tilahun Mengesha became the third head coach following the sacking of Kifle Boltena and Asrat Aduna. Ten years as one of the Coffee’s best midfielders this is for second time Tilahun is appointed head coach. The former player gave his word to club supporters that Ethiopian Coffee, currently 16th on the twenty five sides’ league table, is not to be relegate at the end of this year. Tilahun’s second spell derby match ended in a 3-1 victory.

36th IAAF World Cross Country athletics showdown Kenenisa Vs Zeresenay today