Ethiopia aims for revival at the African Athletics Championships in Asaba
ADDIS ABABA, July 24, 2018 – Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF) is targeting a much-improved result at the 21st African Athletics Championship in Asaba. Ethiopians are disappointed at the previous championships in Durban, South Africa.
EAF Technical Director, Dube Jillo, told AIPS that, he firmly believes that Ethiopia will compete at the highest level for the ranks among Africa’s best talents in this championship. According to Mr. Dube, the EAF was going through an athletes and coaches selecting process to avoid previous grievances of stakeholders at such events.
The EAF selected a very resilient squad that comprises young, talented, and senior athletes, and a strong coaching staff with an amazing team spirit that they hope will inevitably bring huge successs in the competition.
Moreover, it is the change of mentality in athletes towards continental competitions that makes the technical director more and more optimistic about potential success in Asaba’s African Athletics Championship.
Ethiopia had an awful return of medals in Biennial African Athletics Championships two years ago. They came home with only six medals which included a single gold in the men’s 3000m steeplechase by Chala Bayou and two silver medals, resulting in their being ranked eight in Africa.
Besides that Ethiopia is a powerhouse in global athletics, the country has been a regular attendee and one of the challengers for top spot in this championships over the years, collecting 141 medals, among them 40 golds.
Superstars Genzebe Dibaba and Solomon Barega are some of the picks with a huge mission, among the 64-strong delegation accompanied by thirteen coaches, led by EAF Executive Committee member, Mr.Admasu Saji, to right the wrong that happened two years ago.
This year’s African athletics Championships will take place between August 1-5 at Asaba, Nigeria. The best Athletes in this competition will represent Africa at the IAAF’s Continental Cup next September in Ostrava, Czech Republic.
Source: Haileegziabher Adhanom, SSecretary-General ESJA
Oral Ofori is Founder and Publisher at www.TheAfricanDream.net, a digital storyteller and producer, and also an information and research consultant.
