Steven Gerard hammered in a ferocious 30 yard free kick to celebrate his 100th goal for Liverpool.

2008 Toyota Great Ethiopian
Run launched

All time world great distance athlete Haile G/Selassie’s greatest accomplishment outside the track, the Great Ethiopian Run eighth edition will be held on Sunday 23rd November 2008.
At a press conference held on 2nd October 2008, at Jupiter International Hotel, Great Ethiopian Run organizers announced the opening of the registration for the 10km 2008 Toyota Great Run which will be the biggest road race in the organization’s eight year history.
32,000 places are available for the 10km and a further 3500 places for children’s races which will take place on the weekend of 22nd /23rd November 2008. The event has thus come a long way since its first edition in 2001 when there were just 10000 participants.
According to the press release as in previous years, organizations can take advantage of a special group inspiration system (for more than 10 participants) by registering through the race office or Dembel City Center, Hilton Addis Ababa, Edna Mall and Mercato Tana as of tomorrow, Monday 6th October.
The registration fee remains the same as last year that is 40 birr for adults and 20 birr for children reflecting the commitment to widen access to the competition despite soaring inflation throughout the country. All registrants receive a race T-Shirt, a race magazine and bottled water and medals will be given at the finish line.
The money prize for the 8th edition also rise to the highest that is the total purse for elite athletes 120,000 birr, with 25,000 birr each going to the winners of the Men’s and women’s events. Toyota still a title sponsor, the latest edition is sponsored by the all time Great Ethiopian Run partners Ethiopian Airline, UNICEF, Hiwot Trust, GTZ, Carnegie, Aqua Addis, and the British Embassy.
The race launch this time took place in the presence of living legend Haile G/Selassie who returned home in mid week following his World Marathon Record in Berlin last Sunday.

Ethiopian Motor to go International

This must be a new millennium miracle for it parachuted out of nowhere. The Ethiopian Motor Association intends to go international as of the coming New Year. With some efforts from the government and ministry of Youth and Sport, the association dream could come true this January.
Captivated by the story of Ethiopian Highland Rally, part of it transmitted live on DSTv's Super Sport, an assessment mission is to visit Addis Ababa and watch the African Rally candidate event, scheduled for January 30, 31 and Feb 1, 2009. In the event Ethiopian racers will exhibit their driving skill and years of experience, so that the visiting mission gives its blessing to facilitate their access to FIA membership in 2010.
Though it needs some real dedication and work to prepare the groundwork for yet to be selected, Mr. Hiodaki Miyoshi, 2008 FIA African Rally Championship winner, in the rally held in Zambia some three weeks back, has already expressed his desire to participate in the Highland Rally of Ethiopia.
It appears that the association's huge effort towards wining international recognition is to borne fruit, with some serious efforts from the concerned government offices and private organizations. "The association has taken the first big step to make sure this day comes true. Now we are in need of support from concerned government and private organizations. We believe they would act upon it without delay," remarked the association president Ato Tsegaye Asfaw in his brief statement to Capital Sport.

Dr. Ashebir called for PM Meles Zenawi to intervene

There are calls for Ethiopia's Prime Minister to step in to resolve the row which caused the country to be thrown out of World Cup qualifying. Dr Ashebir Woldegiorgis is recognised by FIFA as the head of the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF), but was removed from office in January. Football's world governing body has never accepted that move.
Working with CAF, FIFA drew up a 'roadmap' to resolve the issue, but the committee which replaced Dr. Ashebir has failed to follow the plan. FIFA suspended the EFF and then ejected Ethiopia from qualifying for the 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.
Dr. Ashebir told the BBC's World Football programmer that the continuing dispute could damage his country's reputation. "It is a matter of justice, a matter of principle that should be respected by this country," he said. "I think that is the big issue, for the image and reputation of the government itself." The committee which replaced Dr Ashebir, lead by Ahmed Yasin, is recognized by Ethiopia 's sports minister. Dr Ashebir wants Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to bring an end to the dispute and allow Ethiopia back into the world game.
Ethiopia had been in with a chance of reaching the second group phase of the 2010 qualifiers, but will play little international football over the next two years, unless the row is resolved.

Great Haile did it for the 27th time
Mulu set new Toronto record

Crushing records appears to be the most favorite past times for the world athletics phenomena Haile Gebreselassie. Reigning world long distance truck events for more than a decade and setting new standards for distance run, thirty-four year old all time world greatest distance athlete Haile turned to the classic distance Marathon, and he is booking a place in the history of Marathon.
The living legend clocked a new world marathon record in Germany-Berlin and became the first man on earth to cross the 42 Km finishing line breaking the 2:04 barrier. Just a year since he crushed the four year old record held by friend and foe Kenyan Paul Tergat, Haile won Berlin in 2:03:59, in his 27th world new records. With four pace makers the last Abel Kiruy stayed until the 32 km mark and the only one to challenge the king was James Kuwambi who finally crossed the finishing line in 2:05:36. "I did not expect Kuambi to be so strong," Haile remarked after his second world marathon record victory. Charles Kamati finished third in 2:07:48.
In the women's event Askale Megersa finished second following Irina Mikitenko. Askale appeared to dominate the race when she led the pack until 25 km where she slowed down unexpectedly. Mikitenko first took over Kirop then Askale and injected some pace to discourage her contenders. Mikitenko won the race in 2:19:19 followed by Askale and Kirop in 2:21:31 and 2:25:01 respectively.
In other heart warming event, Mulu Seboka gave herself an expensive birthday present at the 2008 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on Sunday when she won the race and set a new course record of 2:29:08. The Mumbai-India marathon winner Mulu Seboka crushed the Toronto marathon record held by her compatriot Ayesha Gigi last year. The 24 year old Mulu won the Toronto annual marathon in 2:29:08 which was the best record of the venue despite the unexpected strong wind since the 33 Km mark. The leading group consisting of Mulu, Ayesha and Kenyan Karline Chiptanu stayed shoulder to shoulder until the final ten kilometers where the ultimate champion stepped-up her pace while the two hardly responded. Then after it was a solo drive and a new Toronto Marathon record followed by money prize of Canadian 20,000 plus undisclosed amount for beating 2:30. It is Mulu's first big money prize since she collected USD 30,000 in Mumbai- India in January. Olena Shurkhno finished second in 2:33:13 her personal best time.

Madrid, Liverpool, United passed at ease while Chelsea coughed

Nine time champion Real Madrid and defending champion Manchester United, five time champions Liverpool and never to win the title Arsenal all went smooth while Chelsea and Inter Milan stuttered to a draw in their first round second round champions league matches.
Argentine genius Lionel Messi saved the day for former twice champion Barcelona scoring twice in the final four minutes to help his side win 2-1 over home side Shakhter Donesk and top the group with four points while Sporting Lisbon second with four points after it defeated Basel 2-0.
A bitter defeat on the week end at the hands of arch rival Ac Milan, Jose Maurinho settled to 1-1 draw for Bremen's marks man Claudio Pissaro canceled out Maicon's first half goal. Anorthosis' 3-1 victory over Panathinaikos helped the side share top spot with equal four points with Inter.
The mid week goalless home draw against CFR Cluj, came costly for Chelsea as striker Didier Drogba is on side line for more than three months following a serious injury. Thanks to the hero of the day Julio Baptista who came from the bench to score twice in Roma's 3-1 victory. Chelsea and Cluj have equal four points while AS Roma has three.
With Robbie Keane scoring his first goal since his 20.3 million pound transfer, Liverpool won 3-1 over PSV a stunning 30 yards free kick registered as his 100th for Gerard. Athletico Madrid won 2-1 over Marseille the winning goal from Raul Garcia.
With Dimitar Berbatov's two goals and Rooney's third, Manchester United outplayed the home side Aalborg to 3-0 victory while Villarreal bet Celtic 1-0 the late winner from Marco Senna's marvelous free kick. United and Villarreal have equal four points.
Fiorentina settled for a goalless draw at home against Steawa, missing the chance to lead the group where Bayer Munich went 1-1 draw with Lyon to lead the group with four points.
Arsenal demolished former champion Porto 4-0 two goals each from Van Persee and Emmanuel Adebayor. The gunners rebound from the weekend 1-0 defeat by Hull City to crush the visitors and took over top spot with four points while Fenerbache settled for a goalless home draw. Porto is second with three points.
The nine time champions' easily defeated Zenith St Petersburg 2-1 to lead the group with two wins. Tomas Hubocan's own goal gave the visitors the lead only to be canceled out by Arshavin's goal. Ruud Van Nistelrooy scored the winner. Juventus came from two goals down to grab a draw with Bate. The former champions are second in the table with four points.