The final location for a new international airport outside of Addis Ababa is expected to be selected by the end of the current Ethiopian year. According to Ethiopian Group CEO Tewolde Gebre Mariam, the officials selected a location from six possible sites on the road to Adama Town.
“Airport development takes a long time; finding the right location and then accommodating residents in that specific area, we want all this done professionally, if there are some that will be displaced, we need to build a new location and relocate the people,” Tewolde said.
Two criteria were set for the new location, one to be relatively close to Addis Ababa and two to have a lower altitude than the capital city.
“Looking at these criteria, south on the road to Adama has been found to be favorable. Addis Ababa’s altitude is 2,400 feet, and the location mentioned is around 1,900. This will enable us to fly directly from Addis Ababa to Washington DC without having to refuel in Dublin which is what is done today,” he said.
The new airport will have four runways; the current airport has only one runway. The facility will also have the capacity to serve 80 million passengers yearly. Regarding the expansion on the current airport in Addis Ababa, the east wing of the expansion is expected to give service the coming summer, it was stated.
Ethiopian Airlines continues to be is the fastest growing Airlines in Africa. Ethiopian is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan called Vision 2025 that will see it become the leading aviation group in Africa with seven business centers: Ethiopian Express & Ancillary Services; Ethiopian International Services; Ethiopian Cargo Services; Ethiopian MRO Services; Ethiopian Aviation Academy; ET In-flight Catering; and Ethiopian Ground Services.
Location selection for new international airport to be known by end of Ethiopian year
Ethiopia Bunna signs wizard from France: Da Rosa
Ethiopia Bunna has once again signed a new boss from France in replacement of the last Serbian head coach Costadin Papic who sneaked out back to his former South African 2nd division club Royal Eagles.
Papic’s cheap move took many football fans by surprise but it might be a good riddance as the man from France is a proven veteran of African club football winning titles and producing talents.
The 48 year-old Didier Gomes Da Rosa’s profile shows that his first destination after some years with French football is Rwanda where he took over at Ryon Sports FC in a three year contract. In seven months he made a spectacular come back from relegation zone to win the 2012-13 championship title thrashing rivals and President Paul Kagme’s favorite Army side APR 4-0. Left Ryon in a mutual consent for the club faced financial deficit. He then signed a two year contract with Cameroon side Cotton Sport. Despite a six point penalty he led his young side to win both Elite Cup and Cameroon Cup in 2014-15 then led the club to Confederation Cup semifinals. The charming coach who prefers a 4-3-3 defensive formation had been with the Algerian 2nd division side JSM Skikda until 17th December 2017.
Though Ethiopia Bunna’s scouting of coaches might be in question, Da Rosa’s arrival could be considered a blessing if and only if he is as good as his record on the Internet. Winning titles and helping the team to stand at equal foot of rival Saint George might be his priority but building an overall team structure could be a huge benefit not only for the Ethiopia Bunna but also for the country’s football. Da Rosa is said to lead the team in his away debut match against Jimma AbaBunna on Monday.
In memory of Ethiopian football legend Mengistu Worku
Seven years ago one of Ethiopia’s greatest footballers, Mengistu Worku aka “Fitawrari” died here in Addis Ababa at the age of seventy. Blessed with a lethal left foot and a superb high header, the striker stands all time as the seventh highest scorer in the history of the African Cup of Nations with ten goals.
Mengistu who played for his entire career with Saint George, donning the now retired number eight jersey, is considered the best ever product of Ethiopian football with a chance to become a professional player in Italy or France except at the time there was an “Ethiopian Pride” sentiment common among many of his fellow countrymen.
The legendary footballer played for Saint George and the Ethiopian national team from 1959-74 with a record 68 goals in 151 international appearances including six African Nations Cup finals. He then coached Saint George, Electric, Ethiopia Medin and Ethiopian Air Lines. Mengistu was the only renowned footballer turned coach to lead Ethiopia to the 1987 African Nation’s Cup final in Libya.
Though a legendary footballer with a colorful enough career that his name deserved to be placed among Yedenekachew Tesema, Abebe Bikila and Mamo Wolde that, Mengistu appeared to have no one to remember him let alone have a statue as well a proper burial place reserved for Ethiopian Heroes at Trinity Cathedral.
It is now seven years since his death and neither his beloved club Saint George nor the Ethiopian Football Federation is ready to pay tribute to the great player who is survived with a wife and five children. Mengistu Worku is remembered by those who knew him a man fully alive.
Rahma smashes record to lead Ethiopian medal sweep
The 24-year-old Rahma Tusa continued her flying form this season. She built up a comfortable lead after midway and trimmed more than two minutes from her personal best to wrap up the third marathon title of her career in 2:25:12. Rahma’s winning mark also beat the course record of 2:26:46 set by countrywoman Mulu Seboka when the race was first launched back in 2012.
It was Rahma’s third marathon in 2017. She arrived in Guangzhou with high spirits after successfully defending her title at the Rome Marathon in April and meanwhile improving her career best by 88 seconds to 2:27:21. She also finished third at the Beijing Marathon in 2:33:22 three months ago and more recently renewed her half marathon PB to 1:08:28 with victory in Boulogne-Billancourt.
Sifan Melaku, also from Ethiopia, cut more than six minutes from her PB to finish second in 2:31:21. The 20-year-old only began competing over the classic distance in February. It was just her third race and the first time for Sifan to step onto the podium.
Gebeyanesh Ayele, the 13th finisher at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships Kampala 2017, clocked 2:32:25 in what was only her second marathon to date to complete the podium sweep for Ethiopia. The 22-year-old celebrated her marathon debut in Xiamen in January with a 2:34:07 clocking and two months ago she took the victory at the 20 Kilometers de Paris.
