Above: Last year’s event was held at RFK stadium in
Washington D.C. (Photo/Tadias)

Tadias Magazine
By Tadias Staff

Published: Thursday, June 18, 2009

New York (Tadias) – For the first time in the event’s 26-year history, the annual Ethiopian Soccer Tournament will be hosted by the city of Chicago this year, organizers announced. The 2009 event will take place at Lane Tech Stadium from June 28th to July 4th.

The annual gathering goes beyond sports entertainment, allowing families and friends in North America’s Ethiopian immigrant community to come together in celebration of both sports and their cultural heritage. The tournament weekend is a popular time for networking, alumni gatherings, small business catering, music performances, and reunion parties.

Organizers says that fans this year will have a chance not only to revel in the celebratory atmosphere of the tournament, but also take delight in the national significance of the host city.

“This year’s celebration is special because the city of Chicago is the first Mid-Western city to host ESFNA’s annual event,” Mekonnen Demisiew, ESFNA’s newly elected President said in a statement. “Chicago is also the home of the great leader who has brought so much excitement and hope to the world, the 44th president of the United States of America.”

The breadth of events and services provide an economic boon to local businesses, and being selected as a host city for the annual event is both a privilege and a competitive endeavor.

“ESFNA’s Chicago-09 preparation is going very well. We are excited about the possibilities this great Mid-Western city has to offer our guests,” Mr. Demisiew said. “This year’s celebrations will indeed be memorable by virtue of the presence of our highly esteemed Guests of Honor, Ethiopian jazz musician Ato Mulatu Astatke and former national team player, coach and Olympic sprinter Ato Basha Hailu.”

For more info, please visit:Esfna.net

Related:
Hot Shots from the 2008 D.C. Soccer Tournament




Above: Ababa Tesafye attended the event as guest of honor. He celebrated his
birthday on July 4th. The announcer did not mention the beloved children’s television
entertainer’s age. People familiar with Ababa Tesfaye say he does not know the year
he was born.

At the Ethiopians for Obama booth. We even spotted a vendor selling Obama Juice.





At the international Ethiopian Women Association booth.