An estimated 20,000 sports fans attended the opening ceremony of ESFNA's 25th Silver Jubilee (Photo: ESFNA)

The Tournament

This year 27 soccer clubs participated in the tournament and champions are the hosts DC Unity and the Virginia Lions, who claimed the title after they beat DC Stars and Denver from first and second divisions, respectively. For the first time in the tournament's history, an American-born female soccer player, Rahel Hailu, drew wide eyes for playing with DC Stars. Rahel is an extraordinary athlete who served six years as a US marine, and speaks four languages, though she says she needs to refine her Amharic language skills. The talented Rahel is the daughter of Dr. Hailu Fulas, formerly a Minister of Culture in Ethiopia. Attendance throughout the week was below expectation. The opening day attracted about 20,000 spectators while the closing day drew 40,000 Ethiopians.

Ababa Tesfaye, a TV personality known for narrating children's stories, was the principal guest of honor for the 25th Jubilee Anniversary. The crowd expressed an absolute love to this living legend. Ababa Tesfaye passed the words of wisdom for peace, love and unity among all Ethiopians. He proclaimed Ethiopia Lezelalem Tenoralech, and left the cheering crowd with his 'goodbye-kids trademark' - Dehna Hunu Lejoch Yezare Abebawoch YeNege Frewoch.

ESFNA on the spotlight

ESFNA is the sole US-based organization that brings Ethiopians from all walks of life. The Federation deserves to be congratulated for coming this far, and the progress it showed over the last twenty-five years. ESFNA improved the problems encountered last year in Dallas: better stadium, an excellent stage for artists, and a long list of prominent Ethiopian singers. As a Federation established by and for the Ethiopian Immigrant population, ESFNA’s biggest challenge for this particular year was its alliance with Sheikh Mohammed Hussien Alamudi. Perhaps underestimating that the Ethiopian Diaspora is overwhelmingly for the removal of the anti-Ethiopian Meles Zenawi regime, ESFNA seen escorting Al Amoudi, a business tycoon closely linked to the Zenawi regime, was a source of controversy. As the media questioned the link between ESFNA and the Sheik, ESFNA officials like Dawit Agonafir (President) and Fassil Abebe (Public Relations) attempted to clear any misunderstanding. The officials regretted that the big chunk of money they received from the Sheikh was perceived as an instrument of influence. The officials were grilled by the press about this and related organizational shortcomings. It was evident that the President was humble enough to apologize for the inconveniences and bad feelings. Dawit and Fassil agreed to correct the mistakes. As a gesture of goodwill, the picture of Alamudi and the article posted on the ESFNA website were removed immediately. With an indication of division within the organization, the said materials re-surfaced a day before the end of the closing day.

One other organizational nuisance was ESFNA's failure to have prepared passes to venders, players and media personnel. The Federation took three days of the tournament to correct fix the issue. Some officials of the Federation were disrespectful to the press. Vender frustration had reached a boiling point, and no one was doing anything to water down the rivalry seen between and among the religion-based venders. There was no sound limit as the religious venders blared songs through speakers, and things looked like messy. The federation needs to come up with some sort of sound limit and assign the religious booths as far away from each other.

Politics was high on the horizon

A dozen of political public meetings were hosted throughout the tournament. Strictly speaking, many Ethiopians were in Washington, DC for the political meetings than for the soccer tournament. For instance, take Tsehai Conferences. The research-focused group gave prime attention to the needs and aspirations of the youth. The founder of the organization, Elias Wondimu, stressed the importance of the bridge between the young and the old generation. This year, the conference was over on the opening day of the ESFNA tournament, and the organizers need to look for an ideal time in the future.

The Ethio-Sudan Border Committee also held a public meeting at the Marriott Hotel and a protest rally in front of the WA DC Ethiopian Embassy. During the two-day events, the organizers gave historical and political briefings over the transfer of of Ethiopian western lands to the Sudan. Twenty-eight Ethiopian political and civic groups expressed their commitment to secure the Ethiopian border. During the meeting, several party representatives reaffirmed their opposition to the secret land deal by the Meles Zenawi regime.

For the first time since the transformation of Kinijit to Andenet party, two prominent personalities, Professor Mesfin Woldemariam and Asrat Tasse had a long stay with a packed audience at the Washington Marriott Hotel. The prominent advocate of human rights, Professor Mesfin stressed the importance of peaceful struggle for a democratic transition of power in Ethiopian history.

Just a day earlier, Ginbot 7 movement for justice, freedom and democracy fielded various speakers who addressed diverse political issues. The G7 meeting had a surprise guest speaker. The former Secretary of Kinijit, Muluneh Eyouel, joined the ranks of Dr. Berhanu and Andargachew Tsigie.

Many Ethiopians are having critical debates on how to bring a regime/system change. In the coming days, Professor Mesfin and Asrat Tasse are set to tour some American cities for public discussion with Ethiopians. EPRP-Democrat, Gasha LeEthiopia and the former Ethiopian Air force compatriots attracted the attention of Ethiopians. The special honorary night bestowed to General Legesse Tefera was full of excitements and national pride. This war hero General crashed five enemy fighter jets during the 1977/78 Ethio-Somali war. For his extraordinary service to his country, General Legesse is a recipient of THE HIGHEST ORDER OF MEDAL FOR HEROISM.

Legal Rip-off?

The main Ethiopian dining places during the tournament were the food venders at the stadium and Ethiopian Restaurants in the city. Venders were selling snacks, meals and beverages at higher costs. A bottle of water was selling at least twice its normal price at $2:00 while kitfo/tibis fetched around $15:00. If you want to know why, the owners would tell you that they rented each booth for $3000.00

But the most who did out of pockets of visitors were some Ethiopian restaurants in DC. This is by no means a generalization. Of course, there were hospitable and welcoming restaurants as there were the indifferent ones. During the hectic week when restaurants were flooded with visitors, even sodas were selling for a staggering $3:50 apiece. Normally a can of Sprite sells for around 0.75 cents. But when fans had no choice when they came under the sweltering heat of Summer in Washington, DC, they had to dish out the bills to quench their frequent thirst. A few restaurants were more like money-grabbing sharks. The Federation needs to consider resolving such inconveniences in the future, and promote those businesses that are friendlier to the thousands of fans who flock to the host city each year.

On a concluding remark, congratulations ESFNA on the 25th Anniversary of the tournament, and we look forward to future tournaments that my come and go leaving not sour taste in the mouth but refreshing and lasting memories of sports, fun and re-union of long lost friends.

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Muluneh Yohannes is a reporter for Ethiomedia.com. Comments can be sent to muluneh@ethiomedia.com