ESFNA LA PRESS RELEASE
Oct 28, 2005
Dear Friends of the Federation:
ESFNA, Ethiopian Sports Federation in North America, conducted its
semi-annual General Meeting in Los Angeles, California on October 8 and 9,
2005. The Federation had its semi-annual meeting at the Hilton Hotel LAX
Airport. The 27 Board of Directors or official representatives of the 27
member clubs were present along with ESFNA’s 9 Executive Committee
members.
By the measurement of the accomplishments and decisions made at the
meeting, the Federation is delighted to inform readers that the meeting
was very successful. Via healthy debate amongst the Board of Directors and
executive committee members, the Federation was able to make major
decisions on many outstanding issues.
The following is an outline of some of the major decisions passed by the
Federation according to the agenda items:
Site Visits: The Executive Committee (EC), the host city soccer clubs,
Abebe Bikila, LA Dallol and LA Stars aka LA3 and representatives of the LA
Coliseum and Hilton LAX, LAX Marriott took the Board of Directors on a
site visit. The goal was to show the Board of Directors, the legislative
body of ESFNA, the locations, facilities and amenities of the tournament
sites.
Action: The Board of Directors approved both the soccer stadium and the
hotels and asked the Executive Committee to finalize the contracts.
Election on 7 Executive Committee offices: The serving terms of President
Dawit Agonafer, Secretary Redeat Bayleyegn, Business Manager Haile Tefera,
Tournament Coordinator Tameirat Mamo, Public Relations Officer Zecharias
Getachew, Tedla Gessesse Treasurer and Internal Auditor Kassa Kuma were
up. The seven officers have served the Federation with dedication and much
sacrifice. The Board of Directors listened to the reports of all officers
and their intentions in the impending election. Ato Redeat Bayleyegn
related to the Board that he was not seeking re-election for another term
and thanked the Board for the opportunity he was given to serve and
represent a great organization. Ato Redeat was a visionary young leader
for ESFNA and played a major role in the many pioneering efforts the
Federation undertook during his term. Redeat has promised to help the
organization from the sidelines and sited family and work commitments for
his decision not to accept another term. He also publicly thanked his wife
for allowing him to serve the organization he loves by making tremendous
sacrifices alongside himself.
Action: The Board of Directors re-elected Dawit Agonafer as President,
Haile Tefera as Business Manager, Tedla Gessesse as Treasurer, Zecharias
Getachew as Public Relations Officer, Tameirat Mamo as Tournament
Coordinator, and Kassa Kuma as Internal Auditor of the Federation. The
Board of Directors elected Sisay WoldeMichael of Toronto, Canada as
ESFNA’s new secretary. Ato Sisay thanked the Board for the trust shown in
him and promised to fulfill his duties to the best of his abilities.
ESFNA Expansion: ESFNA Expansion continues to be a big issue for the
Federation. It was just this year that we added two teams, Washington DC’s
St. Michael and Seattle’s Baro to the ESFNA roster. Still, there are
various cities and teams here in North America and abroad that would like
to join the organization. The organization has limited spots in its
current format; however, many ideas have been entertained to allow
interested soccer teams to join.
Action: The Board of Directors formed and gave mandate to a subcommittee
to study and report back to the Board recommendations for a lasting
solution to ESFNA expansion questions. The individuals selected are
veterans of the organizations and have assured the board that everything
will be taken into consideration to come up with an all-encompassing plan.
ESFNA Scholarship: ESFNA’s Scholarship program has received rave reviews
from its inception. It’s ESFNA’s way of reaching out to its players and
many young supporters by having scholarship funds available for many
deserving young students. Also, ESFNA seeks to grow its scholarship fund
by soliciting matching funds from like-minded organizations and by
partnering with volunteers in academia. The scholarship program is one
part of ESFNA’s Educational program that seeks to benefit millions of
young students around the globe. Please visit our site @ http://www.esfna.org/projects/education/overview.cfm to learn more about
this program.
Action: The Board of Directors formed and gave mandate to a subcommittee
to study and report back to the Board recommendations for expanding the
scholarship program. The individuals selected have shown their willingness
to come up with recommendations in a reasonable amount of time.
Players’ Incentives: The Board of Directors, players, and ESFNA supporters
have been calling for an increase in prize money, hotel, van and/or other
incentives to teams. The cost associated with the annual soccer tournament
has been increasing steadily over the years and teams are struggling to
meet their budgets. In 2004, prize money for winners was increased in both
divisions and there was some discussion on increasing hotel in July, as
well.
Action: The Federation decided to increase the annual stipend to teams
from $500.00 per team to $2,000.00 per team to augment costs associated
with the annual tournament; such increase was long overdue and is believed
will be met with excitement when the news reaches to players.
The 2006 ESFNA Tournament Guests of Honor: In the October meetings, the
Board of Directors elects the guests of honor for the upcoming tournament.
This year, two individuals were nominated in the Sports Category:
legendary footballer Ato Kassahun Teka and Olympian Cyclist Ato Geremew
Demboba.
The Board of Directors will cast their votes for the candidates
and the nominee with the most votes will be announced in January 2006 as
our guest of honor. In the Culture, Arts and Humanities category,
Professor Richard Pankhurst was nominated for his immense contributions
through the numerous research and publications he has written on Ethiopia
and Ethiopian history. We are thrilled to nominate Professor Pankhurst in
this category. It will give thousands of Ethiopians at our event a chance
to personally express their gratitude for a man who has dedicated a good
portion of his life to Ethiopian causes following the footsteps of his
mother, Cylvia Pankhurst. We also recognize his recent successful
worldwide effort to put pressure on European governments to return back
looted Ethiopian artifacts including the Axum obelisk back to Ethiopia.
Also, per the EC’s recommendation, the Board of Directors accepted the
nomination of the 1996 Olympic Gold Medal winner Marathoner Fatuma Roba as
ESFNA’s special guest of honor for 2006. We are delighted at the chance to
have our famous Ethiopian heroin join us in Los Angeles, CA during our
23rd annual event. She has been a great role model for millions of young
athletes. Her presence will surely add incredible flavor to our event.
Also this year, we are celebrating the contributions of one of our own.
The legendary footballer, “Kuas Fidelu”, former Ethiopian national team
player and also former ESFNA President Fisseha WoldeAmanuel. Ato Fisseha
was one of Ethiopia’s shining stars on the soccer field. He represented
his country ably and with class for a number of years. Ato Fisseha is
still active in the tournament coordinating committee of the Federation.
It is still a treat to watch him play during the all-star exhibition
games. Ato Fisseha is still giving back to his community and has formed a
non-profit organization, “AGAR”, to allow kids in Ethiopia a chance to get
decent education, soccer training and a feeding center.
We are proud to
recognize one of ESFNA’s founders as our other special guest of honor for
LA 2006. Ato Fisseha resides in Los Angeles and it will give all of us a
chance to get acquainted with his humanitarian efforts. Congratulations
Ato Fisseha!
On this occasion, ESFNA’s Board of Directors, Executive Committee and
players invite you to come and join us in Los Angeles from July 2 to July
8, 2006. We are ever thankful for your continued support and we look
forward to seeing you in city of angles, Los Angeles, California. Again,
our event will be at the LA Coliseum, Home of three Olympiads.
ESFNA
Executive Committee
http://www.esfna.org
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