ESFNA LA 2006
ANNOUNCEMENT

Ethiopian Sports Federation in North America’s Executive Committee has selected the city of Los Angeles as the host of its 23rd annual Ethiopian soccer tournament based on the proposal submitted by the three LA area ESFNA teams, Abebe Bikila, LA Dallol and LA Stars, aka LA3.

LA was in competition with Dallas, with ESFNA affiliated teams: Addis Dallas and Ethio-Dallas. ESFNA’s Executive Committee, after carefully weighing very attractive proposals submitted by the two cities, finally made a unanimous decision to award the hosting of the tournament to the city of Los Angeles. Although the vote was unanimous, the decision was not easy since both proposals had individually unique qualities beneficial to ESFNA and Ethiopians attending the annual event.

In order to reach to an impartial final decision, the Executive Committee not only examined proposals submitted by the two cities but also went to each city and conducted a site visit. The Executive Committee visited Los Angeles and Dallas and examined their request to host the 2006 event. During its stay, the executive committee evaluated the hotel accommodations, stadiums and closing night venues in both cities. In addition, a successful town-hall meeting was held in both cities with Ethiopians residing in and around their metropolitan areas. Many Ethiopian organization leaders attended the meeting and participated in a very informative and productive question-and-answer sessions.

Accordingly, the Executive Committee has selected the City of Los Angeles to be the host city for the 23rd anniversary to be held from July 2nd to July 8th, 2006.

On behalf of ESFNA Board of Directors, players and friends of the federation, the Executive Committee appreciates the whole-hearted effort exerted by the two Dallas teams, Addis Dallas and Ethio-Dallas and their board members Ato Mengistu Yilma and Ato Solomon Ayalew, the City of Dallas, the Ethiopian Community and the various Ethiopian organizations in the Dallas area, and the Hyatt and Westin Hotels.

For your information:

1.   The 23rd Annual Ethiopian Soccer Tournament will be held from Sunday July 2, 2006 to Saturday July 8, 2006.
2.   The headquarter hotel will be announced within the next week.
3.   The soccer stadium and the closing night celebration will be held at the LA Coliseum and the LA Memorial Sports Arena.

ESFNA invites Ethiopians across the globe to come and join us for this annual gathering. For more information, please contact the Federation via info@esfna.org or visit our website at www.esfna.org

Ethiopian Sports Federation in N. America
9123 E. Mississippi Ave. 20-102
Denver, CO 80247
info@esfna.org

ESFNA Board Directors

The Board of Directors, representatives of the current 27 member teams, meet twice a year to review and plan the Federation’s activities. Each team sends two delegates to represent it during these meetings, whereby one delegate serves as an alternate. However, each team has only one vote count during the decision making process.

ESFNA Exec Committee

The Executive Committee is in charge of implementing and executing the short and long-term strategic decisions/plans of the Board Directors, including the detailed preparation of the annual sports and cultural event that takes place every year.

President
Mr. Dawit Agonafer
president@esfna.org

Vice President
Mr. Eyaya Arega
vicepresident@esfna.org

Secretary
Mr. Sisay Woldemichael secretary@esfna.org

Treasurer
Mr. Tedla Gessesse
treasurer@esfna.org

Finance Chair
Mr. Solomon Assefa
finance@esfna.org

Internal Auditor
Kassa Kuma
auditor@esfna.org

Tournament Coordinator
Tamerat Mamo
tournament.coordinator@esfna.org

PR Director
Mr. Zecharias Getachew
public.relations@esfna.org
612-685-7705

Business Manager
Mr. Haile Tefera
business.manager@esfna.org
713-875-1881

Left to Right: Mr. Haile Tefera ESFNA Business Manager, Mr. Kassa Kuma ESFNA Internal Auditor, Mr. Dawit Agonafer ESFNA President, Mr. Zecharias Getachew ESFNA Public Relations Officer, Mr. Fassil Abebe EthioLA3 Committee member. April 29, 2006 during the food booth lottery held at LAX Hilton. Photo by: Irene Fertik

ESFNA Mr. Tedla Gessesse recivieng booth payments from lottery winners. Photo by: Irene Fertik

Former ESFNA President Berhanu Woldemariam, who resides in Addis Ababa now, was present among the attendants at the food vendors' lottery as a witness. Photo by: Irene Fertik

Past ESFNA Champions

Past ESFNA Venue Cities