Henok Dinka and other famous artists

Henok Dinka and other famous artists.

"It is difficult to think about the development of football where the ownership of clubs is not guaranteed" Gashaw Abaza (Dr.), Associate Professor of Towson University in North America

Level repair

#Ethiopia In order for Ethiopian football, especially the Premier League clubs, to be freed from government dependence and be able to manage themselves independently, in cooperation with the Ethiopian Football Federation and the Ethiopian Premier League Joint Stock Company, they conducted a research based on evidence and information, which took more than a year and involved stakeholders. He is currently serving as an associate professor at Towson University. Many Ethiopians and Africans participate in Washington DC, from 2011. Since then, they have established a charitable organization called Grand Africa Ranna Africa Impact Award, which has been held under Nova Connection for six consecutive years. In addition to this, he has published more than 85 research articles including various research results that can help the sector, including consulting work on sports business management in Germany's Munich Business School, as well as in other countries including Ethiopia. Gashaw was the deputy manager of the Great Run in Ethiopia before moving to America. Based on the research on the structural status of the Ethiopian Premier League clubs, including the running and charity organization that they are doing in Washington DC in North America, Darjege Tsaneu spoke to them.

Reporter: After the Great Run left Ethiopia, the organization that started the run called "Grand Africa Run" has held a running race in North America, Washington, DC for the past six years. How did you get the result?

Dr. Gashau: Grand Africa Run is a non-profit charity organization under Nova Connection, and apart from the race, there is also the Africa Impact Award, which recognizes great people who are influential in various fields, including sports, in Ethiopia. The purpose is to use athletics as a communication platform where East Africans, including Ethiopia, are known, to connect and promote diaspora communities living abroad. The second is to bring Ethiopians and Ethiopians living in North America closer to their culture and create family relationships, and thirdly, to create a platform where people who have made a positive change and impact in various fields, including sports, are recognized and celebrated. Accordingly, the event held for the last six years has shown a great change in both the race and the recognition. Especially in Ethiopia, his initiative and interest in raising money for charitable organizations that are looking for donors is increasing. The number of donor organizations has increased. This being said, although the aid is satisfactory and sufficient in the current situation, money is being collected and used for the required services, and is being done. So far, the aid has been given to the charitable organizations that help them such as Mebrate, Solomon Bogale and Chachi Tadsen. The same support and help has been given to Ethiopians living in America who are facing various problems.

Reporter: What kind of change has been brought about by promoting athletics?

Dr. Gashau: I can't say that we have reached this level in terms of producing teenagers in the athletics, but there are more and more Ethiopian children living in North America in the running competition that is held every year. In fact, some of them started with this race and are currently working at a professional level, embraced by large companies and organizations. During the years when the competition was held, great Ethiopian athletes such as Derartu Tulu, Tirunesh Dibaba, Selshi Sehn, Gudaf Tsagain and Tugset Asefen were invited as guests of honor. In addition to this, sports has become a big platform for the Ethiopian Diaspora to meet once a year. In this way, the historical, economic and social benefits for Ethiopians in particular are becoming huge. Although it cannot be said that this is the case, at some point, it can be understood from the situation that the time will not be far when we will see an Ethiopian born from Ethiopians living in America participating in the Olympics or major international competitions. I'm not just saying this, but the participation of Mr. Genet Gebre Selasse, Mulugeta's brother and other children from families who were former runners in high schools in America has started to attract the attention of many. Some of them have represented the United States on the international stage and are successful in the middle distance.     

If we take GMA, Wolaita and Bahr Dar, their entire budget is used for basic public consumption, such as health, education or road services. So whatever happens, the clubs have the ability and capacity to manage themselves. what is If you tell me what I can tell you again and again, whether you like it or not, the clubs should be converted into private ownership and become community-wide. In the study, the experience of many countries was taken and what is best for Ethiopia was taken. That is, the government itself will have a share, then the investor, the society and the supporter (registered). As an investor, aviation or telecom, foreign investor (Diaspora) or domestic investor, it is necessary to divide the ownership share according to the percentage of their share and keep the responsibility from the company or the manager of the club. Last year, based on the findings of the study, manuals and guidelines were developed and made available to all concerned. By chance, I had the opportunity to work on these manuals and guidelines with the Bahr Daran and Faisal City clubs on various fundraisers. It is not very difficult. Everyone has the desire and motivation. What is the problem? Therefore, ownership must be confirmed.

Reporter: All stakeholders are said to have participated in the study. Ownership is one aspect of the research findings. Why do you think it could not be implemented?

Dr. Gashaw: I don't want to say that Abebe or Kebe are personally responsible. But I like to say that everyone should work together to implement the research findings. If this can't be implemented, I mean because it doesn't have a solution as I tried to explain earlier. However, if implemented, it will be easier for players and stakeholders to pay monthly fees, including club licensing guidelines. As things stand, simply paying government money is no different than pouring water on sand. Because the clubs' ticket (field) income, sponsorship, sports clothes (jerseys) in the stadium, including food sales and other sources of income can be managed with appropriate manuals and guidelines, as I tried to say before, the ownership of the clubs should be confirmed. It is difficult to think of the development of football in which this has not been proven.