One Love Ethiopia!!

Because of timing conflicts, many Diaspora Ethiopians came forward to express that they did not want to miss either event. The EHSNA Heritage Festival, going on its second year, was initially held in the first week in July in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. ESFNA is approaching its 29th year of holding its annual sporting events in early July in Dallas, Texas. In a show of support, the younger of the two organizations, EHSNA, has agreed to move it’s Heritage Festival to the Labor Day weekend.

The Ethiopian Sports Federation will hold its sports events in Dallas from July 1 to July 7. The Ethiopian Heritage Festival will be held in September, using the three-day, Labor Day weekend to its full advantage. Exact times, dates, and places will be announced. The festival, now entering its second year, will probably be held in the D.C. area, as it was in the preceding year.

Praise for the Ethiopian Sports Federation

The Heritage Society takes this opportunity to praise and celebrate the Ethiopian Sports Federation for its longevity – this will be its 29th year of holding the sports events. The Heritage Society also praises the Sports Federation for its efforts to thwart the reach of the illegitimate TPLF government now in power in Ethiopia.

http://www.abugidainfo.com/index.php/19980/

Thank you!

To me, the bigger issue is this. There are many second and third generation Ethiopian Americans whom this activity benefits the most. The reason, we do not want to raise children who are culturally and morally lost. However, most of the leadership of ESFNA (as I see it) is hell bent to make a point. This is not Ethiopia people, this is the USA and people have options, people can stay away…the youth and young adults, who have the largest spending power if you look at the demographics is the ones you push away first because they are not interested in the current, politically motivated endeavor that you have embarked on. ESFNA should align with non biased media (such as Tadias) and stop feeding fuel to the fire by taking on radio shows such as Abebe Belew…THAT is a death sentence.

The current President Mekonnen Demisiew of San Diego and Internal Auditor Zelalem Seifu of Maryland finished their first term and declined to run for a second term. Treasurer Taye Wogederes of DC Unity, Business Manager Bisrat Desta of Seattle Dashen, and PR Officer Fassil Abebe of LA Dallol, finished their second term and were replaced by new officers.

The Board of Directors elected Getachew Tesfaye of St. Michael’s President, Solomon Ayalew of Addis Dallas Treasurer, Melaku Aynalem of San Jose, Business Manager and Yohannes Berhanu of Toronto PR Officer. The current Tournament Coordinator Endale Tufer of Atlanta was persuaded to serve for a second term and he accepted.

After a long discussion the Board of Directors asked Ato Feleke Teka of LA Dallol to serve as an outside auditor on an emergency basis until we decide on how to go forward regarding the Internal Auditor position.

The entire family of ESFNA would like to present its heart felt appreciation to our out going officers for their dedication and service. This year was particularly difficult for our officers and they showed a remarkable resiliency as a group.

We also wish our incoming officers good luck as they are taking over at a very crucial time and we’re all counting on them to show the correct leadership and vision to steer our organization in the right direction.

Long live ESFNA!

Ethiopia tikdem!

ESFNA was created to serve the purpose of gathering Ethiopians who have an expressed interest in Soccer. Over the years, the production has grown beyond soccer to include Ethiopian art and entertainment. However a few bull headed men (and I have no issue saying this) could not set their personal agenda’s to the side, so today we are witnessing the dismantling of the old ESFNA. IMHO I am alarmed at the current ESFNA leadership solely because they are not being truthful to the public by insinuating that all is OK. It is now clear that the dispute from a year ago is still very much active. The good thing is that the US is a large country and we can have multiple events on the same weekend and it will be the people’s choice as to which event they attend. After all we live in a democratic country and where you spend you dollar is your business, not ESFNA’s…

“There have been questions about our political views,” Tesfaye said when the tournament-site selection was announced after months of delay. “This is a soccer federation. We do not discriminate based on political party, religion or tribe. If you serve the interests of Ethiopia, you are welcome to our tournament.”