Sunday, February 16, 2014

The Greediest Nature of the Sudanese Government

by Netsanet Zeleke – Addis Ababa

Should I say few words to slightly describe who I am? If I should, this is I in brief; I am a citizen of the disfigured or deformed Ethiopia, of the 21st century, temporarily living in Addis Ababa hiding myself from the direct scorch of TPLF, the mercenary junta hired by our torrential sins to severely punish us. I believe in a God; that God being the God of truth and light. I most certainly believe that the God I believe in has His own time to do, redo, or undo what He thinks is best to His subjects based on His own schedule. I believe in all His modus operandi. I believe He is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last who decides the fate of not an individual but also that of a nation. Creed is personal. Take it and live it or leave it and get relieved from it. Now to the Sudan.Ethiopian land to Sudan caused protest
I wonder how the leaders of this large country, maybe as large as more than three or four fold of that of the size of Ethiopia,  have become inexplicably foolish to crave a piece of land, leave alone the alleged 1000+kms x 60+kms of huge territory, from the land of lions! Ethiopians are lions in the time of theirs; not actually in such times of temporary submission to and strategic retreat from organized international conspiracy, a conspiracy to eliminate one national and Pan-African pride which may vie the megalomaniacal political and economic interests of the Big Brother(s). [We know that the primary source of our chronic political problem has to do something with the global monster which has always been responsible for the grotesque shape of our planet; the horn of this monster, the offspring of the serpent, is in Ethiopia while its tail is abroad.] It is surprising that the Sudanese leadership is qualitatively so low that it aspires to grab territorial lands from consciously sleeping lions and tigers miscalculating the future risk. It is really wonderful to see such ignorant bargainers in this age of common sense. In terms of responsible statesmanship, they are mentally crippled to the extent of not recognizing the negative consequences of dealing with an illegal organization such as TPLF that is known for its nihilistic and destructive nature. [The world knows the nature of TPLF that it can happily arrange an auction sale to sell even the whole Ethiopia if there is any volunteer to buy.]  I wonder how many foolish and gluttonous people are collaborating with the historical enemy of Ethiopia, TPLF, to dismantle this land of shrines. I wonder how the people of the Sudan, especially around the borders, have become supportive of the mad leaders of Khartoum while their counterparts, the people of Ethiopia, are in jeopardy, and in a dumbfounding silence due to the incredible experience they are forced to pass through. To my knowledge, the Sudan has always been unpredictable. Behaviorally, it is our common understanding that the government of [the] Sudan has most often been known for its consistent inconsistence in any of the relations it has had with neighboring states or beyond.
Understandably, the Sudanese, both the leaders and the leadee, seem to be lost in a capricious or illusory state of mind; following their natural bent, perhaps. Despite the fact that they have an uncontrollably enormous mass of land, they dream to have some more land from Ethiopia, a country temporarily without her own children as leaders, rather, a country being mistreated and sentenced by butchers, butchers who had usurped the palace some years back, to being apportioned to anyone who claims any size of land. By the way, even the farthest countries such as Honolulu or Haiti can claim and secure any size of land from Ethiopia as long as TPLF is in power; this happens because;  1. TPLF is in dire need of money to run its business empires and fill the coffers of its bottomless pits, the corrupt idiot officials. 2. TPLF is an alien to Ethiopia and literally it is Un-Ethiopian; therefore, this junta has no any sense or feeling of national sentiment. 3. TPLF wants to destroy what Ethiopia is known for, be it cultural, religious, or social heritage and/or territorial integrity. TPLF simply wants temporary political power that enables it to demolish the nation and accumulate wealth. Period! And hence, any entity that negotiates and signs any agreement with respect to the interest of the Ethiopian people is by default the enemy of Ethiopians and the agreement(s) will automatically be invalid when our own government comes into being. It is against the interest of all sane Ethiopians if any country reaches at any agreement with TPLF; that agreement may even stoke up devastating wars between Ethiopia and the country in question. It is due to this that the Sudan must think twice before negotiating with TPLF. TPLF will surely go to its historical grave soon but the country and the people are there eternally. Whose interest should be respected? It is up to the Sudan to differentiate what is profiting and what is not.
Anyways, please listen to me, Ms. Sudan. Know that Ethiopia has been slumbering especially for the last 23 years. She has been deprived of all her rights as a country and her people as a people. The astonishing silence of nearly 90 million people of the nation doesn’t mean the country should be something MONEY CAN BUY. No! No! No! Such an ill-fated disposition can happen to any country. There is a time of hibernation as there is a time of aestivation; there is a time of grace as there is a time of disgrace. Probably, Ethiopia and Ethiopians are currently paying off their debt of some historical curses imposed by certain national karmatic occurrences in the past; it is the same to Syria or Iraq or Afghanistan et al. Don’t get surprised, others will follow suit maybe soon. No country, or no people if you will, has immunity from karma cleansing, dear guys! And hence, mark my words, when Ethiopia rises from the dead, everyone should know that no force can stop her people from attaining their rights. No weapon can set them back from conquering their enemies in time of justified wars, albeit, to my conviction, wars shouldn’t seek any form of justification. Go to historical galleries and check it by yourselves. Besides our historical achievements in science and technology, like in architecture ad fine arts, such as the obelisks and the rock-hewn churches we have, if we have something to be proud of, it is “making wars” and become triumphant. Led by genuine Ethiopians, regardless of ethnicity, we are there at the tower of almost any war we engage. Time will prove us everything if I am telling a lie.
Leave alone the Sudan, this country of yesterday, this country of fragility, this country of [all what we know], other accomplices all together will get their due reward when Ethiopia rises again and begins to torch the beacon of independence and human liberty as before.
I personally don’t get that much surprised by what I observe here and there worldwide to destroy this otherwise beautiful country, Ethiopia. I don’t get that much upset when I see people craving to get their share in a situation like Ethiopia where there is a chance to ransack and loot the resources, resources that have no proper owners, instead, in a situation where there is favorable condition created by TPLF to sell out anything Ethiopian; it might be unnaturally natural to voraciously devour upon the available scavenge among scavengers. But I prettily understand that every action has an equivalent retribution from above or from below, or perhaps from both in a synchronized manner. This is what has to be feared. Many people in this world, including the Sudan-TPLF syndicate, are pitifully myopic. They don’t want to learn from history. They are regrettably adamant and are the causes of avoidable destruction upon their nations as well as their loved ones. They think everything stays permanently stable; they are absolutely wrong. I think money and other secular possessions blind people.
Thanks to TPLF, the Sudan may annex a big amount of land from Ethiopia; it is fine and good luck guys there. But, alas for the future relationship of this country of moron leaders with the future generation of Ethiopia; a hard time that the Sudan will never challenge will surface in the Horn of Africa if what we hear is true. Sudan should know that TPLF is just an iota of black spot when compared with the entire history of Ethiopia. Now, it is a time allotted to the Judas. Now, it is the time of traitors.  Now, it is a time of stupidity and self-denial. But it doesn’t mean this ugliest Ethiopian scenario stays forever. Never!  It will change soon. When it changes, we will go up to Khartoum and will do whatever the situation demands by then. I am warning, not intimidating and my source of confidence is the God of truth. He is impatient to take revenge upon the outlaw scoundrels, such as TPLF and its collaborators, wherever they might be dwelling now or in the later times of the ultimate judgment upon the crooked. We have been witnessing this inevitable divine intervention since time immemorial. Today, everything seems conducive to harass Ethiopians and do anything harmful against them, wherever they might be living, in or out of country. Thanks to God, the golden time of this historic country is coming soon. By then, alas for those who have been the reasons for the suffering of Ethiopians; understandably, these miskin Ethiopians, these poverini, have by no means been the causes of atrocity to anyone, especially nowadays. Though some might not be as good as they are expected to be so to each other on individual basis, they are nice and congenial to live with the people of other countries in the world. They are hard working. They show earnest efforts to grow through hard work. They are not menaces to any citizen on the planet. These days, their major problem is lack of a country of their own; due to this, they may show some restlessness and may become victims of hopelessness. That affects many citizens a lot and may disturb their life. But this doesn’t mean they will remain in this mode of life forever. …
I don’t have any intention to tell the Sudanese to quit this land grab (border-grab?), from ownerless Ethiopia; on the other hand, I don’t want to say ‘Sudan, keep it up this vulgarism’; these things are things to be left for their discretion. Moreover, I don’t have any interest to say the same to TPLF gangsters because I perfectly understand that they are simply hellish instruments to punish us. They themselves are prisoners of evilness, i.e, the negative energy; they have little chance to abandon the satanic deeds they are committing and get freedom. If they could, they would; but they are predestined for such a ruinous act of national atonement.
To my understanding, the Ethiopian situation indicates that we deserved such a whip to weep and consequently wipe our tears for once and for all through the lesson we learn thereof. When sins become rampant in a nation, when love decreases and hatred increases, when fairness and justice grow smaller, when moral and ethical values become on the wane, when greed and selfishness begin to take root, when religion and religiosity become commercialized and hence compromised, when racism and ethnicity become the fad of the  time, when education fails to impact citizens to get onto the right track,  by and large when the flesh dictates the soul, … it is more likely to have a reign of chaos and human stupidity in nations such as  Ethiopia. But fortunately, like other futilities, these are temporal, too, and all such trivialities will wither away as the time of high consciousness supplants this elementary form of human development, which is, according to Abraham Maslow’s human needs hierarchy, mainly motivated by eating, drinking, and copulating,  i.e., biological and physiological needs. Surprisingly, TPLF and its likes all over the world are led not by Mr. Mind but by Mr. Belly [ሆድ]. And it must be a conundrum to the physical human civilization to see such animalistic beings in the 21st century of the IT age. The presence everywhere of these creatures belies the claim of humanity to have achieved greater spiritual and material advancements. It doesn’t matter who they are and/or where they live. The major emphasis lies in the fact that we have people of muttonhead in power who massacre and imprison humans with no other apparent reason than filling their bellies and staying in power indefinitely for decades, even for centuries if possible. This mere instance is enough to understand the fact that humans are less important and less preferable than any other animals in terms of creating peaceful co-existence in this universe, or at least on planet Earth. This is shame to human race at large.
To say few words to those who need my solace, just be patient. The time is coming. The time that has to come and be reinstated is a time in which we the oppressed will rejoice. Do not envy the people of evilness, as the bible recommends. It is because their days are limited and very short. They will perish and turn to ashes. They will doubly cry in a manner they made millions weep day and night. Their master, the current ruler of this world since the last two millennia, will never have any power to save them from the wrath of God against the commandments of Whom both the master and his servants have led millions and billions astray so that they join the kingdom of  the disgraced former ‘light bearer’….
Ethiopia will rise and will be the star of humanity again. Ethiopian lions are under the making of His Almighty; He is the only One we Ethiopians depend on to slough off all our temporal problems. We will win as long as we are with Him, and He with us. Everything will be back to normal. As a matter of historical phenomenon, we are through one nasty tunnel; a tunnel whose end is clearly visible to a clairvoyant elder citizen. To whatever extent the situations may seem gloomy now; we shall come out of the quagmire with the help of God in a short period of time. Believe me; God’s power is invincible. Despite all the might this planet has presumably possessed for her insincere purposes may seem destructive and unwinnable, God willing, the downtrodden, the oppressed citizens of this bloody planet will once again defeat those powers of the darkness with the help of the true God. God is not a toy to scornfully laugh at; though some inventions and innovations have intentionally or unintentionally been used for the enhancement of the plans designed by the people with the negative energy; nevertheless, we have to realize that God is the One Who had created the brain that has invented the nuclear power, the dynamite, the electricity, the telephone, the computer, the train, the airplanes, all in all, all the technology we already have. Moreover, He is the One to Whom the hurricanes, the storms, the tsunamis, the earthquakes, the wildfires, the drought, the rains, the floods, the volcanoes, the chilling colds, the searing heats, the diseases, the ices and snows … are sleeplessly at His service to take any orders and destroy their target in any moment, if He wishes and is obligated to do so. Sodom and Gomorrah might come to our mind and witness the undisputable application of the justice system of God in times of complete disorderliness such as now. Man’s technology is nothing if He runs out of His patience, and, let’s not be unaware of the fact that there are several occasions in which He becomes furious and unsympathetic with intolerable sins and wrong acts. “God is merciful,” yes He is, there is no argument in this regard. But He is also wrathful if He is pushed towards that unfavorable direction. Correctly put, a father punishes his children when they repeatedly fail to abide by his rules.
Man cannot depend on his armaments to counter attack the skies. What is the impact of a drop on the vast surface of an ocean? Furthermore and on the other hand, what is the essence of the civilization of Man if he cannot save even one of his nuclear stores from, say, an earthquake? In most worst cases, the blind leading the blind to the abyss. The voracious killing the veracious. The liars persecuting the truthful innocents. This is our world now. No joke intended! No pun intended, too. The serious days are coming ahead. I wish this message would get due attention by everyone. If not, it doesn’t matter; ሁሉም ነገር ለበጎ ነው፡፡

God bless Ethiopia

Commemorating and Remembering the 19th February 1937 Italy’s War Crimes in Ethiopia


February 14, 2014
by Ewnetu Sime
For many years, we Ethiopians have celebrated the anniversaries for the nation’s fallen heroes and innocent civilian who were massacred during the Italian occupation of 1935-1941, and in particular the 19th of February 1937 was a faithful day. Within few days, Fascist massacre of several thousand Ethiopians in Addis Ababa. Themassacred during the Italian occupation of 1935-1941 nation chose 19thFebruary as a public holiday to pay respect and have commemorative ceremony in town and cities all over Ethiopia. This ceremony tradition continued in the Ethiopian Diaspora community.  Last year as part of commemoration, the Global Alliance for Justice organized Global Public Protest Against newly erected the Graziani Mausoleum at Affile, south of Rome. Similarly several civic organizations also urging to support the protest and to commemorate this date where ever we are.  The result was successful; it is expected to be the same or better this year.
In this article, the story of 1935 Italy Fascist aggression in Ethiopia is not described in great detail., But, as we commemorate the 19th February 1937 horrific day a brief history of event must be share to help us to connect to the great spirit of resistance in Ethiopia, and to recognize the significance of sacrifices made by our patriots .
Brief overview of Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia:
During the 1935 period, Italy was one of emerging imperial powers in Europe. Mussolini was on power and he was increasingly stressed by the demands of maintaining Italy’s colonial empire through bloated military resources. In 1935 he deployed military forces to invade Ethiopia for expansion of colonial territories in Africa. The main reasons for the invasion were, to avenge, to have a source of raw materials, to exploit free labor, etc… Mussolini didn’t seem to understand that the Italians aggression was defeated by Ethiopian Patriots in the battle of Adowa in 1896. The first African nation marked a humiliating defeat to European colonizers. Since then, no foreign intruder has ever prevailed over Ethiopia.
On October 1935, Mussolini ordered his Generals to invade Ethiopia from two fronts. One of his Genera’sl army was invading from Eritrea, the northern front.  The second General Rodolfo Graziani army was also invading from Italian Somaliland, the “southern front”. In addition to its own army, Italy had recruited regiments from the colonial possessions of Eritrea, Somalia, and Libya. The northern front advanced and occupied holy city of Axum. The invading army looted many artifacts including the Obelisk of Axum.  Similarly, the southern front began advancing toward capital city of Addis Ababa facing some resistance on its way. Interestingly, the Ethiopian offensive included killing of downed Italian pilot Tito Minniti. It is unfortunate that the Ethiopians force cannot sustain the offensive due to the sophisticated weapons and the use of poison gas by Italian Air Forces. The brutal bombing throughout the country resulted to death of thousands innocent Ethiopians civilians including demolishing of a field hospital run by the Swedish Red Cross.
The European great power neither Britain nor France not interested to intervene as Mussolini troops marched deep into Ethiopia. After the Italian war machine broke all defense line from both fronts, Italy occupied the capital city Addis Ababa. The notorious General Graziani was installed as a ruler. After seeing the atrocities by Italian army, our patriots started guerrilla warfare, and continued their fight to liberate Ethiopia. By early May 1936, the Emperor had left the country and lived in exile in hope to get the International support. On June 30, 1936, the Emperor gave a remarkable speech before the League of Nations pleading to free Ethiopia from Italian invasion. Although Ethiopia was a member of the League, the League has done nothing to counter the Italian aggression. Nevertheless, the resistance by patriots continued.
The 19th of February 1937 EC (Yekatit 12, 1929 G.C) an unsuccessful attempt was made to assassinate the Italian military commander General R. Graziani by young two Ethiopians (Eritrean origin) by the name of Moges Asgedom and Abriha Debotch. The failure unleashed a reign of terror on city of Addis Ababa residents.  A book entitled “Plot to kill Graziani” written by Ian Campbell, page 2 states Italian Fascist massacred scene as follows:
“……… it was the dark face of Fascism that the people of Addis Ababa saw that day, for although within moments it was clear that the crowd of beggars, many aged and blind, posed no threat, they were cut down en masse with machine-gun fires. There then followed throughout the city orgy of murder, bloodlust and mayhem on the part of Blackshirts and Fascist civilians that did not abate for several days, and was so devastating that to this day the dead have never been counted.”
In spite of the massacre thousands of Ethiopians, and without any effective allies from International communities, the guerrilla patriots increased the resistance and fought the Italians with antiquated weapons aggressively for five years. During this period WWII war broke out. Britain along their allies declared war on Nazi Germany, and later with Italy. As part of overall war strategy against Italy, the British decided to move behind the Ethiopian Patriots to push the Italians forces from Ethiopia. In 1941EC the Italy armies surrender, and our country independence restored.  In summary, the attempt to colonize Ethiopia failed disastrously. The Italian military supremacy certainly did not break the will of the patriotic warriors. We must continue to honor and respect this important day. , Without these brave men and women sacrifices, THERE WOULD BE NO ETHIOPIA today. We owe them to be a united citizen to build a better Ethiopia. This year anniversary mark 77th years since the horror and tragedy occurred.

የሰማያዊ ፓርቲ “ወጣቱና ፖለቲካ” በሚል ርዕስ ውይይት አካሄደ


ወጣቱ ጸሀፊና ፖለቲከኛ አስራት አብርሃ በዋና ተናጋሪነት የተገኘበት “ወጣቱና ፖለቲካ” በሚል ርዕስ የተዘጋጀ ውይይት ቅዳሜ የካቲት 8 ቀን 2006 ዓ.ም በሰማያዊ ፓርቲ ጽ/ቤት ተካሄደ።

39ኛ የካቲት ለማክበር ሽርጉድ እና የተሟጠጠው የትግራይ ህዝብ ስሜት (ከአስገደ ገ/ስላሴ ወ/ሚካኤል)


February 16, 2014
የትግራይ ህዝብና ታጋዮቹ የህ.ወ.ሃ.ት ትጥቅ ትግል የተጀመረበት ቀን ከ1967 ዓ/ም የካቲት ወር ጀምሮ እስከ 1983 ዓ/ም በየአመቱ ለምትመጣዉ የካቲት 11 ለማክበር በናፍቆት የሚጠብቁት ነበር። በአሉን ለማክበርም የሚበላ፣ የሚጠጣ፣ የሚለበስ ያላቸውን ሃብት በማሟጠጥ አስቀድመዉ ይዘጋጁበት ነበር የትግራይ ህዝብ ይቅርና በነፃ መሬት በጠላት ውስጥ በስደት በተለይ ደግሞ በ1977 ዓ/ም በድርቅ፣ በደርግና በሻዕቢያ ወረራ ወደ ሱዳን ተሰዶ በለጋሾች በተሰጣቸዉ ዱቄትና ስንዴ ጠላ ጠምቆ ዳቦ ጋግሮ በሰላማዊ ሰልፍ ያከብራት ነበር። በአውሮፓ፣ በአሜሪካ በሌሎች ክፍለ አለማት በስደት ይኖሩ የነበሩ የትግራይ ተወላጆችም በተለያየ መንገድ ያከብሩ ነበር።
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ይህ የሆነበት ምክንያት የትግራይ ህዝብ በፋሽስታዊ ደርግ ይደርስበት ለነበረዉ ግፍ በየላቲት 11 የተወለደዉ ህ.ዋ.ሃ.ት ከችግሬ ያላቀቀኛል ከሚል መንፈስ ነበር የካቲት 11 ሲያከብር የነበረዉ። የትግራይ ህዝብ የካቲት 11 ከአማልክት በላይ ያመልካት ነበር የህ.ዋ.ሃ.ት መሪዎችም የህዝቡን ስሜት በመጠቀም እንደ የመነሳሻ ጊዜ በመጠቀም ይጠቀሙበት ነበር ህዝቡም በህ.ዋ.ሃ.ት ተጠቃሚ እንሆናለን ከሚል ስሜት ደርግ ከተወገደ በኃላ የህ.ዋ.ሃ.ት ካድሬዎችና መሪዎች የሚሉትን ይሰማ ነበር ለትግራይ ህዝብ ብለዉ ለመላዉ የሃገራችን ህዝብ የገቡለት ቃል የክህደት ሁኔታ ስላሳዩት የካቲት 11 በአል የማክበር ስሜቱ እያሽቆለቆለ መጣ። በአሉን አክበር ሲባል እምቢታ አሳየ። እየተገደደ ወደ ሰልፍ ሲገባም የመሪዎች ዲስኩር ሲጀመር እየጠላቸዉ ፈርሶ ይሄድ ነበር። በክልል ደረጃ በዞን ፣ በወረዳ፣ በቀበሌ ህዝቡ እየተገደደ ገንዘብ በማውጣት በግብዣ ይምበሻበሽ ነበር። በዛን ጊዜ የ.ህ.ዋ.ሃ.ትመሪዎችና ጥቂት ካድሬዎች ኪሳቸዉ ይሞላ ነበር ህዝቡ የካቲት 11 ለማክበር ይጓጓ የነበረዉ ሌላ ቀርቶ ልጆቹን ወደ ትግል ሜዳ ለመስዋእት ሲሸኝ በየካቲት 11 ነበር ያነበረዉ እምነትና አምልኮት የህ.ዋ.ሃ.ት መሪዎች ምንም የማይጠቅሙት መሆናቸዉን እያወቀ ሲመጣ ፍላጎቱ ተሟጦ የካቲት የራሱ እንዳልሆነች በማወቁ በአሉን ላለማክበር ተቃውሞ እያሳዩ መጣ።
እነዚህ ዘመናዊ ግራዚያኒ መሰል መሪዎች ግን ህዝቡን ያለፍላጎቱ አስገድደዉ ሰልፍ እያሰወጡ በህ.ዋ.ሃ.ትና የመንግስት ብዙሃን መገናኛ በማስተጋባት ለአለም በማደናገር በህዝብ ተወዳጅ እንደሆኑ ያደናግራሉ። የኃላ ኃላ ደግሞ ለህ.ዋ.ሃ.ት መሪዎች ወደ ስልጣን ያወጡት የህዝብ ልጆች አገር አትሽጡ ብለዉ ተቃውሞ ባሳዩ ታጋዮች በጅምላ አሰርዋቸዉ ያለ አንዳች መቋቋሚያ ጣልዋቸዉ በዛን ወቅት የትግራይ ህዝብ ጥላቻዉን ገለፀ ቆየት ብሎም በትግራይ የሚገኙ 120 ሺ አካለ ጉዳተኞች በስማቸዉ የተለመነ ሃብት ቀምተዉ ሜዳ ላይ ጣልዋቸዉ የህዝቡ ጥላቻ ተባባሰ ። በቃ የካቲት 11 የህ.ዋ.ሃ.ት መሪዎችና የጥቂት ተጠቃሚ ካድሬዎች መፈንጠዣ ሆነች ደርግ ከተወገደ ከ1983 ዓ/ም ወዲህ የካቲት 11 በአል ለማክበር የባከነ ሃብት መበቶ ሺዎች ለሚቆጠሩ ዜጎች የስራ እድል የሚከፍቱት ፋብሪካዎች ፕሮጀክቶች ያሰራ ነበር ይህ የአብዮት በአል እየተባለ የሃገር ሃብት ማባከን በህ.ዋ.ሃት መሪዎች ታጥሮ የቀረ አልነበረም። በአፋር፣ በአማራ፣ በሱማሌ፣ በጋንቤላ፣ በደቡብ ህዝቦች የፓርቲዎች የልደት በአል እየተባለ ለማክበር በቢሊዮን የሚገመት ሃብት ባክነዋል እነዚህ ፓርቲዎች በአላቸዊ ሲከበር የአውሮፕላን፣የመኪና ትራንስፖርት የመንግስት መኪኖች በዛ በአል ማክበር ተጠምደዋል ባጠቃላይ የህ.ዋ.ሃ.ት መሪዎች የጀመሩት የሃገር ሃብት ማባከን እንደ ወረርሽን በሽታ አገር ኣጠፉ ።
ያለፈዉ አልፎ የዘንድሮ 2006 የካቲት በአል አከባበር
የህ.ዋ.ሃ.ት መሪዎች በአሁኑ ጊዜ የየካቲት 2006 የበአል አከባበር ምክንያት በማድረግ ህዝቡን የህ.ዋ.ሃ.ት ስርአት በፈጠረበት ችግር ልቡ ስለሸፈተ ለውጥ ፈላጊ በመሆኑ በአሁኑ ጊዜ በ58 ወረዳዎች በ7 ዞኖች ለሁሉም ቀበሌዎች ህዝብ የውል አበል እየተሰጠ በስብሰባ በመናጥ ህ.ወ.ሃ.ት አለች ወይ በሚል ጥያቄ ሲያወያዩት ህዝቡ ደግሞ ህ.ዋ.ሃ.ት የለችም ከድታለች ነዉ ያላቸዉ።
በሌላ በኩል ህዝቡ በሁሉም የወረዳና ዞኖች ፣ ከተሞች ተገዶ ሰላማዊ ሰልፍ እንዲያደርግና ለሰላማዊ ተቃውሚ ፖለቲካ ፓርቲዎች ለመነጠል ዘመቻ ለማድረግ ተዘጋጅተዋል። በተጨማሪም በሺ በሚቆጠሩ ቀበሌዎች በካድሬዎች እየተገደዱ ጠላ ተጠምቆ፣ እንጀራ ተጋግሮ ግብዣ እንዲደረግ እየተዘጋጁ ይገኛሉ። ሁሉም ከተሞች ፣ ዩኒቨርሲቲዎች ስለ ህ.ወ.ሃ.ት ታሪክ አጀንዳ በመያዝ በፕላኔት ሆቴልና በሃወልቲ ሰማእታት አዳራሽ የትግራይን ክልል እድገት ተሞክሮ እና የህ.ዋ.ሃ.ት ታሪክ ይሰለጥናሉ። በመላዉ ክልልና ዞን ቀበሌዎች እንደ አዲስ የተበረዘና አሁን ላሉ መሪዎች ታሪክ በሚያድስ መንገድ ታሪክ እያስተማሩ ይገኛሉ።
በተለይ ደግሞ በአሁኑ ጊዜ የትግራይን ተሞክሮ ለመውሰድ ተብሎ ከመላዉ ኢትዮጵያ ክልሎች የኢ.ህአ.ዴ.ግ.ና አጋር ድርጅቶች ወጣት ዜጎች በሺ የሚቆጠሩ ወጣቶች ለአንድ ወር ያህል ምግብና ውል አበል ተዘጋጅቶላቸዉ የውሸት ታሪክ እየሰለጠኑ ይገኛሉ። ይህ ሁሉ የሚደረገዉ አሁን ያለዉ የህ.ወ.ሃ.ት መሪዎች የተበላሸ ስርአትና በህዝቡ ያለዉ ችግር እንዳይታወቅና ለመሸፈን የሚደረግ አሻጥር ነዉ።
የየካቲት ውጤት
ከ1983 የካቲት 11 እስከ 2006 የካቲት 11 የኢትዮጵያ ህዝብ በተለይ ደግሞ የትግራይ ህዝብ ምን ተጠቀመ? ሁሉም ህዝብ የገጠርና የከተማ የመሬት ባለቤትነት የተቀማበት፣ ዜጎች በግላቸዉ መሬት አግኝተዉ መጠለያ ሰርተዉ እንዳይኖሩባት የተደረጉበት፣ መብታቸዉ ተነጠቁበት፣ ዜጎች የግል ሃብት የማፍራት መብታቸዉ የተከለከሉባት፣ ከግለ-ሰብ እስከ ብሄር -ብሄረሰቦች ህዝቦች መብታቸዉ ፍፁም የታፈኑባት፣ በስም ብሄር ወኪሎች የኢህአዴግ ቡድን የሚፈነጩባት፣ የህግ የበላይነት መከበር ቀርቶ ከዳኛ በላይ የፖሊስ ስልጣን የነገሰበት፣ እቺ ለሁሉም ክልሎች እንደሰርቶ ማሳያ ሞዴል የተባለች ትግራይ የስራ አጥነት ተስፋፍቶ አምራች ሃይል ወጣቶች ወደ ስደት የፈለሱባት፣ ህዝብ ነፃተኑን አጥቶ ተጨቁኖ የሚኖሩባት፣ ህዝቡ ወደ ኃላ ተመልሶ ልጆቹን ለመስዋእት መክፈሉ የሚቆረቆሩባት፣ የተማሩና ያልተማሩ ወጣቶች ስራ አጥተዉ በጎዳና የተዘረጉባት ፣ ዜጎች ምክንያቱ ባልታወቀ ሞተዉ በጎዳና የሚገኙባት፣ ሁሉም ህዝብ በ1ለ5 በ1ለ10 በ1ለ30 እየተደራጀ በስለላ መርበብ የታፈነባት፣ ነዋሪ ህዝብ አስተማሪዎች መላዉ የመንግስት ሰራተኛ በከባድ የኑሮ ውድነት ምክንያት ሊኖሩ የማይችሉበት ሁኔታ የተፈጠረበት ፣የህዋህት መሪዎችና ጥቂት ካድሬዎች የሚናጥጡበት የካቲት 11 አካል ጉዳተኞችና የተሰዉ ታጋይ ወላጆች አረጋውያንን ለልመና የተዳረጉበት፣ የህፃናት መብት የማይከበርበት፣ህፃናትና ቦዘኔዎች ተደራጅተዉ በዝፅ ደንዝዘዉ ለሰላማዊ ፖለቲካ ፓርቲ የሚደበድቡባት፣ የሰላማዊ ፖለቲካ ፓርቲዎች ለመሰብሰብ ሰላማዊ ሰልፍ ለማድረግ የታገዱባት ፣የተቃዋሚ ፓርቲ አመራር ጋዜጠኞች በእስር ቤት የሚማቅቁባት፣ የፓርቲ አባላት በግልፅ ባደባባይ የሚደበደቡበት፣ የተማሩና ያልተማሩ ሴቶች በድህነት ምክንያት ወደ ዝሙት ስራ የተሰማሩባት፣ ትምህትቤት መስጊድ ፣ቤተክርስቲያን፣ ዩኒቨርሲቲዎች የህ.ዋ.ሃ.ት የፖለቲካ ማደራጃ የሆኑባት ፣የትምህርት ጥራት ትግራይ ኃላ የተሰለፈችበት የአስተማሪነት ስራ የተጠላበት፣ የሃይማኖት መብት የማይከበርባት የካቲት 11 2006
ህዝብ ታሞ ህክምና ኣጥቶ ወደ ጥንቆላና ደፍተራ ጥገኛ ሆኖ የቀሩባት የህ.ዋ.ሃ.ት አባል ፓርቲ ያልሆነ ስራና የትምህርት እድል ሌሎች እንደ ዜጋ ሊያገኘዉ የሚገባ ጥቅማ ጥቅም የተነፈጉባት፣ የተበላሸ አስተዳደርና የፍትህ አጥነት የነገሰባ፣ት የሃገራችን ሃብት በባለስልጣናትና ጥቂት ባለ ሃብቶች የተመዘበሩባት፣ የካቲት 11 የንግድ ስራ የቀዘቀዘባት፣ በመሬት ፖሊሲ ምክንያት የግል ኮንስትራክሽን ስራ ፍፁም የተቋረጠበት፣ መላዉ ትግራይ በውሃ እጦት የተቸገረበት፣ ጥቂት ሰዎች በምቾት የሚኖርባት ብዙሃኑ በረሃብ የሚታረዙባት፣ ቂም በቀልና ውሸት የነገሰበት፣ በውሸት ልማት የበለፀገች፣ የዲሞክራሲ ሽታ የማይታይባት የካቲት 11
በወሊድ ምክንያት ብዙ እናቶች የሚሞቱባት፣ ትላልቅ ከተሞች ከገጠር በሚሰደዱ አረጋዊያን፣ ሴቶች፣ ህፃናት በልመና የተሰማሩባት፣ የክለሉ ሃብት በህ.ዋ.ሃ.ት አመራር ቁጥጥር ስር የገባበት፣ ለህፃናት ለፍትህ ፣ ለእኩልነት ብለዉ የተሰዉ ጀግኖች የተከዱባት የካቲት 2006 በሚሊዮኖች መስዋእት የፀደቀዉ ህገ-መንግስት ፍፁም የተናደባት ፣በሚሊዮኖች የሚቆጠሩ ኢትዮጵያውያን በስደት የተዋረዱባት፣ የሃገራችን ሉአላዊነት የተቆራረሰባት፣ ከፌዴራል እሰከ ቀበሌ የተዘረጋ የህ.ወ.ሃ.ትና የአጋር ፓርቲዎች አመራር በሙስና የተበላሹበት፣ የካቲት 2006 የህ.ዋ.ሃ.ት መሪዎች ፋሽስታዊና ፀረ-ዲሞክራሲ ባህሪያቸዉ የተጋለጡባት የህ.ዋ.ሃ.ት ቁንጮዎች የሃገራችን ሃብት አሟጠዉ ውጭ ያሰፈሩባት ቤት ሰርተዉ ለልጆቻቸዉ ውጭ ያሰፈሩባት ፣ ህዝቡ አማራጭ አጥተዉ በጨለማ ቁጭ ያለባት፣ የሃገራችን ምሁራን ተገልለዉ ሃገሪቱ በጥቂት መሃይም ካድሬዎችና በቀበሌ ቦዘኔዎች የምትመራበት፣ ከስዑዲ ዓረቢያ የተመለሱ ዜጎች ማቋቋሚያ አጥተዉ ተመልሰዉ ወደ ስደት የፈለሱባት የካቲት 2006 ባጠቃላይ የካቲት 2006 ለህዋሃት መሪዎች ጨለማ ለህዝብ ብሩህ ተስፋ ሊፈነጥቅበትየሚያስችል ሁኔታ ነዉ ያለዉ ምክንያቱም የህ.ዋ.ሃ.ት መሪዎች መዋቅራቸዉ ከድቷዋቸዉ የተቃውሞ ሃይል እየበረታ በመምጣቱ ስጋት ላይ ይገኛሉ።
ሁኔታዉ እንደዚህ እያለ የህ.ዋ.ሃ.ት መሪዎች ለመጭዉ 2007 ምርጫ ታሳቢ በማድረግ በኢትዮጵያ ያሉ ተቃዋሚ ፓርቲዎች ከህዝበ ጋር እንዳይገናኙ ለህዝብና ለፓርቲዎች አፍኖ መፈናፈኛ አሳጥቷቸዋል ይህ ተግባር ከወዲሁ ከህዝቦች የተባበረ ትግል ማገቻ ማግኘት አለበት እላለሁ።

Obang Metho’s speech to Ethiopians in Oslo, Norway



Below the video, the summary of Obang Metho’s speech to Ethiopians in Oslo, Norway: on the plight of Ethiopian migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, Middle east and around the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODTUVmYSuxE
I am delighted to be here among the family of Ethiopians in Norway. Part of my focus while here is to address the problem of the Ethiopian asylum-seekers in Norway and secondly, to focus on the plight of Ethiopian migrant workers in places like Saudi Arabia, many of whom have now returned to Ethiopia only to find few supports in place to help them assimilate back into society.
Ethiopia is no more hospitable than when they left it. As they return, other Ethiopians continue to leave and the cycle repeats itself. As we witness the desperate circumstances and often cruel treatment of so many migrant workers as they were deported from Saudi Arabia, it has stirred the reactions of many of us to do something.
My message today is about channeling those emotions and energy to bring about long-term sustainable solutions. Over the last several years I have listened to the personal testimony of countless Ethiopians who have undergone horribly inhumane circumstances in order to find a better life outside of Ethiopia.
These first-hand testimonies describe the great suffering many have gone through and comprise some of the most heart-breaking stories I have ever heard. Most of them are young people, the sons and daughters of Ethiopia – the next generation—and they are leaving in huge numbers. Many of the women who find employment in the Middle East experience severe physical and sexual assault, denial of salary or payment of only partial salaries, confiscation of passports and other identification papers, inhumane conditions, psychological trauma, denial of freedom of movement, inability to change jobs and even murder.Obang Metho speaking to the Ethiopians in Oslo, Norway.
We, Ethiopians have to think beyond themselves. Running to get a job in the Middle East or get out of box of seeking quick solutions that may complicate real solutions. We must look seriously at the negative images to change Ethiopia. Film from movies, before digital, called the negative, it is dark and see little, but when put in front of light, get a beautiful and colorful image. Right now, to me, the country of Ethiopia is the negative, but Ethiopian people don’t see that they can make a good thing out of this, creating a colorful and beautiful out of that. Outsider cannot do it for them.
That color could be an organization, or people taking responsibility to support existing groups, people being determined to bring lasting change. Ethiopians can make it brighter future. The ending of suffering is that behind the negative image, you can produce a New Ethiopia where humanity before ethnicity, less greed, where only a few thrive groups and the rest struggle to survive, to become a livable country where humanity is valued and the rights of all are respected—no one free until all free.
I want every Ethiopian to see that the negative image of our country, the suffering of our beautiful people in the Middle east and throughout the world, behind it is the promise of change—only from Ethiopians. We don’t want someone else to free us or run to another country where their people have already freed themselves and become freeloaders. We have to liberate ourselves in our minds and actions.

Hagos: Your guide on how to be treated as a first class citizen in Ethiopia


by Ersasu Mere
Caution: Hagos is any Tigrigna speaking Ethiopian who may or may not be a Weyane supporter but who simply takes advantage of the system that was created for him.Hagos is any Tigrigna speaking Ethiopian
I made a refreshing but somehow painful visit to Ethiopia some weeks ago. I am one of the luckiest diaspora to have regular trips to the mother land. This last trip was made after 4 years. The main purpose of my trip was to have a quality time with my family and childhood friends who are rarely around these days. I do not want to talk about the political and economical deterioration or the so called construction boom of the country. I think we have enough of that. The day I arrived in Addis, I headed straight to home where I was born and grew up.  This time, our house, the neighborhood fences and the narrow and muddy pedestrian alleyways show some signs of renovation. On my phone call home, my mother used to tell me how the Kebele and Wereda administration have dragged the approval of permitting her to do some revamps to the fences and the sewage tubes outside our home. She was even openly asked to bribe if she wanted her application approved. When I saw the change, I asked her how that happened then she answered it is because of Hagos, the new neighbor who moved few years ago. According to her, Hagos is a very charismatic, respectful and generous person who reigns over the bureaucratic Kebele and Wereda administration. Once he came to their association to lay down cobblestones on the roads; once he was elected to the Edir and peace committee; he is getting things done. Nobody comes in his way; not even the city administration. Thieves and gangs around have been thrown to jail. Hagos can personally take them to Jail. For all these deeds, my mother and her likes give him love and respect. I knew if I ask people how Hagos got the authority to do all these; I may not get an answer.
So in the midst of these thoughts, Hagos himself came to welcome me with an expensive gift on his hand. As it may be expected, he soon talked about the development of the country and the ‘Diaspora’ politics. I personally stopped discussing such matters long time ago. But I understand that Hagos is a good guy and he has a long hand to reach. So he offered me to go out and have fun in the nights of Addis. So one Saturday night, I together with my and Hagos’s friends drive to some recreational corners. The driver, who happens to be the youngest of all of us, did something terrible against another driver who had a government official and his police guards as passengers. The guards swiftly jumped out to kind of beat on our driver.  We were terrified. But as they came closer to us, I can see their angers evaporating and refrain from attacking him. Hagos’s Tigrigna accented talk did the job; the guards were much less aggressive and the official inside the car did not utter a word.
I realized we were getting good treatment in every club and bar we went. One reason is that our group is a big spender. In our discussion, I asked one of Hagos’s friends what he does for a living. He said he is working in one of NGO’s in the city with a hefty pay salary. He told me that he got the job thanks to Hagos.  He affirmed that Hagos can get you any government or non-government job. He can help you get a profitable contract with any agency. If he does not like you, he can even get you fired. Let me get over talking about this Hagos after telling one story.  During one night, there was a brawl in a hotel and the owner was part of it. The security guards and the police cannot stop it. Hagos made some calls and before we know it, the Federal Police were on the spot, Hagos pointed at some folks who he thought were trouble makers. In a snap they were taken away with beatings and harassments. Hagos, told the owner to straighten up if he wants to stay in business. While we exited the hotel, we were told that the bills were taken care of by the hotel.
During my stay in Addis, I once joined a wealthy group who do business almost remotely from ‘khat Houses’. One of these businessmen got some problem with Customs Authority that was threatening to confiscate some of his perishable imports if the correct amount of tax was not paid. They were either implementing the tax code correctly or they wanted some kick backs. The business man did not want to bribe any more. He got someone who could help, remotely that was. He told another Hagos the station and the bosses who refused to clear the customs for his import. Hagos called directly to the station manager and ordered him to clear the custom immediately or face the danger of losing his job. The treat was so vivid that the guy who received the call did not even dare to challenge Hagos on legal and regulatory grounds.  Later that day the custom workers called and told the businessman that everything is completely cleared. A simple call with Tigrigna or Tigrigna accent had done the job again. It was as simple as that.  In another occasion, when we were driving down to Adama, an Oromia traffic officer wanted to mess with us. He clearly wanted some money. There was no violation at all. He took away the license plate till we pay the penalty.  The friends I were with got so mad and did not pay the penalty or bribe the police.  They knew it was easier to call the other Hagos in Adama.  As expected, Hagos called to that police officer’s boss who later allowed us to collect our plate held in hostage. It is amazing that when we reached there the police and his boss were so friendly. They said if they had known that we were somehow related to Hagos, all of that squabble would never have happened.
On a closer or distant observation, I had seen a number of Hagos likes in the Immigration Offices who would cut on the lines without even bothering how many citizens queued up already. They were trying to get services for they buddies, officials or diplomats. Most government agencies are corrupt and drag their feet in executing their service tasks if you are an ordinary citizen. If you are Hagos or you are with Hagos one would see the gang of employees from top to down panicking to render service. In front of Hagos, files did not disappear and you would not get 5 days appointment for a simple signature from the manager. For Hagos every government office is open and is working efficiently for him. Foreign embassy or foreign investor is easily accessible to Hagos. Getting to know him means getting all the benefits other Ethiopians would not get. Readers should note that I did not give any judgment on how bad or good Hagos’s activities are. Of course, there are good and bad parts of Hagos that give a free ride for some and create hell for others. Nepotism, cronyism and favoritism in any form or another persist in any society. But the kinds I saw in Hagos are something different and troublesome. As I tried to demonstrate, Hagos is a police. He can arrest you, take you the court and get you prosecuted. He can deny you a job or get you a job. Hagos is a business man who makes profit and helps you do business easily. Remember that Hagos can be a government official and a political operative who will do things like following up the opposition, the free press on his own terms and on behalf of his government policies. He can give you justice or deny you basic human right and fair treatment. In general, I myself may have gotten some good handling and assistance from Hagos.  Now it is up to you to decide whether to use this guide to get a better and first class citizenship service in Ethiopia. If you decision is to use Hagos as a guide, I have a word of advice that you may have to live with the guilt knowing that there are millions who do not get such treatment.
ersasumere@gmail.com

Ethiopian Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon


Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon
Some shrewd investing by Ethiopian runners Feyera Gemeda and Rehima Kedir paid off handsomely when they won at the 2014 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, anIAAF Silver Label Road Race on Sunday (16).
Neither was on the list of official invitees, but they wagered over a thousand dollars each on air fares from their base in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, to the Chinese Special Administrative Region.
The Ethiopians’ both pocketed US$65,000 for their wins in 2:15.05 and 2:34:53, their initiative yielded the sort of profit you don’t see often on the stock market nowadays.
Neither had raced in Hong Kong before, and with Kenya’s defending men’s champion, Julius Maisei, sounding confident of an unprecedented second successive men’s victory here, Gemeda bided his time near the head of a group of over 20 that went through halfway in a very slow 70 minutes.
Speaking through an interpreter later, Gemeda said, “I was waiting for Maisei to push the pace, to see how last year’s winner would go; and there were some others there who had faster times than my personal best. But it was never too fast, and I was able to go to the front myself a couple of times. Then when we got to 37k, I saw I could win”.
At 37km, the group had been whittled down to five, with Maisei still trying to impress himself on the others. However, when Gemeda accelerated with five kilometres to go, Maisei was the first to drop off the leading group.
“I thought I could become to the first man to win twice, and I tried. But my muscles tied up at the end, and they were too strong for me today,” reflected Maisei, who eventually finished fifth.
In the meantime, the race had devolved into a scrap between two Ethiopians, Gemeda and Bedada Abdisa Sori, and two other Kenyans, Elisha Kiprop and Willy Kibor.
But Gemeda was not to be denied, He sped away over the remaining four kilometres, running the second half of the race five minutes faster than the first, to win in 2.15.05, with Bedada Abdisa second in 2.15.11, one second ahead of Kibor.
“Financially, this is my best result ever,” said Gemeda, “but my personal best is not fast enough (2.11.45 in Toulouse five months ago), I want to run faster elsewhere. I’ll help my family with this money, but I’ll also use it to take care of myself, and prepare well to run fast somewhere. I didn’t prepare specially for this race, but if the organisers invite me back next year, to defend, I’ll make sure I’ll be well prepared.”
Kedir took the women’s title for her second marathon victory in a row, following a win in Beirut last November.
She too had to beat the defending champion, her compatriot Misiker Mekonnin Demissie, who was going for a hat trick of wins; and failed by just 12 seconds to do so.
“I felt OK for 20k, but then I tired, and couldn’t reply when Rehima took the lead,” said Mekonnin Demissie.
Nevertheless, Kedir said she wasn’t confident of victory until the closing stages.
Kedir won in 2.34.53, with Mekonnin second in 2.35.05, and a third Ethiopian, Shitaye Gemechu third in 2.35.18.
“I could feel my hamstring pulling at 32k, but it didn’t get any worse, and at 41k, I felt I could win. But before the race, I didn’t think I had any chance; there were several women with faster times than me. I’d like to run a race like Boston next, but I’d be very happy to come back to Hong Kong next year,” commented the winner.
With another pay day like that in prospect, who wouldn’t?
Source: IAAF Athletics

Ethiopian Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon

February 16, 2014
Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon
Some shrewd investing by Ethiopian runners Feyera Gemeda and Rehima Kedir paid off handsomely when they won at the 2014 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, anIAAF Silver Label Road Race on Sunday (16).
Neither was on the list of official invitees, but they wagered over a thousand dollars each on air fares from their base in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, to the Chinese Special Administrative Region.
The Ethiopians’ both pocketed US$65,000 for their wins in 2:15.05 and 2:34:53, their initiative yielded the sort of profit you don’t see often on the stock market nowadays.
Neither had raced in Hong Kong before, and with Kenya’s defending men’s champion, Julius Maisei, sounding confident of an unprecedented second successive men’s victory here, Gemeda bided his time near the head of a group of over 20 that went through halfway in a very slow 70 minutes.
Speaking through an interpreter later, Gemeda said, “I was waiting for Maisei to push the pace, to see how last year’s winner would go; and there were some others there who had faster times than my personal best. But it was never too fast, and I was able to go to the front myself a couple of times. Then when we got to 37k, I saw I could win”.
At 37km, the group had been whittled down to five, with Maisei still trying to impress himself on the others. However, when Gemeda accelerated with five kilometres to go, Maisei was the first to drop off the leading group.
“I thought I could become to the first man to win twice, and I tried. But my muscles tied up at the end, and they were too strong for me today,” reflected Maisei, who eventually finished fifth.
In the meantime, the race had devolved into a scrap between two Ethiopians, Gemeda and Bedada Abdisa Sori, and two other Kenyans, Elisha Kiprop and Willy Kibor.
But Gemeda was not to be denied, He sped away over the remaining four kilometres, running the second half of the race five minutes faster than the first, to win in 2.15.05, with Bedada Abdisa second in 2.15.11, one second ahead of Kibor.
“Financially, this is my best result ever,” said Gemeda, “but my personal best is not fast enough (2.11.45 in Toulouse five months ago), I want to run faster elsewhere. I’ll help my family with this money, but I’ll also use it to take care of myself, and prepare well to run fast somewhere. I didn’t prepare specially for this race, but if the organisers invite me back next year, to defend, I’ll make sure I’ll be well prepared.”
Kedir took the women’s title for her second marathon victory in a row, following a win in Beirut last November.
She too had to beat the defending champion, her compatriot Misiker Mekonnin Demissie, who was going for a hat trick of wins; and failed by just 12 seconds to do so.
“I felt OK for 20k, but then I tired, and couldn’t reply when Rehima took the lead,” said Mekonnin Demissie.
Nevertheless, Kedir said she wasn’t confident of victory until the closing stages.
Kedir won in 2.34.53, with Mekonnin second in 2.35.05, and a third Ethiopian, Shitaye Gemechu third in 2.35.18.
“I could feel my hamstring pulling at 32k, but it didn’t get any worse, and at 41k, I felt I could win. But before the race, I didn’t think I had any chance; there were several women with faster times than me. I’d like to run a race like Boston next, but I’d be very happy to come back to Hong Kong next year,” commented the winner.
With another pay day like that in prospect, who wouldn’t?
Source: IAAF Athletics

Ethiopian Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon

February 16, 2014
Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon
Some shrewd investing by Ethiopian runners Feyera Gemeda and Rehima Kedir paid off handsomely when they won at the 2014 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, anIAAF Silver Label Road Race on Sunday (16).
Neither was on the list of official invitees, but they wagered over a thousand dollars each on air fares from their base in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, to the Chinese Special Administrative Region.
The Ethiopians’ both pocketed US$65,000 for their wins in 2:15.05 and 2:34:53, their initiative yielded the sort of profit you don’t see often on the stock market nowadays.
Neither had raced in Hong Kong before, and with Kenya’s defending men’s champion, Julius Maisei, sounding confident of an unprecedented second successive men’s victory here, Gemeda bided his time near the head of a group of over 20 that went through halfway in a very slow 70 minutes.
Speaking through an interpreter later, Gemeda said, “I was waiting for Maisei to push the pace, to see how last year’s winner would go; and there were some others there who had faster times than my personal best. But it was never too fast, and I was able to go to the front myself a couple of times. Then when we got to 37k, I saw I could win”.
At 37km, the group had been whittled down to five, with Maisei still trying to impress himself on the others. However, when Gemeda accelerated with five kilometres to go, Maisei was the first to drop off the leading group.
“I thought I could become to the first man to win twice, and I tried. But my muscles tied up at the end, and they were too strong for me today,” reflected Maisei, who eventually finished fifth.
In the meantime, the race had devolved into a scrap between two Ethiopians, Gemeda and Bedada Abdisa Sori, and two other Kenyans, Elisha Kiprop and Willy Kibor.
But Gemeda was not to be denied, He sped away over the remaining four kilometres, running the second half of the race five minutes faster than the first, to win in 2.15.05, with Bedada Abdisa second in 2.15.11, one second ahead of Kibor.
“Financially, this is my best result ever,” said Gemeda, “but my personal best is not fast enough (2.11.45 in Toulouse five months ago), I want to run faster elsewhere. I’ll help my family with this money, but I’ll also use it to take care of myself, and prepare well to run fast somewhere. I didn’t prepare specially for this race, but if the organisers invite me back next year, to defend, I’ll make sure I’ll be well prepared.”
Kedir took the women’s title for her second marathon victory in a row, following a win in Beirut last November.
She too had to beat the defending champion, her compatriot Misiker Mekonnin Demissie, who was going for a hat trick of wins; and failed by just 12 seconds to do so.
“I felt OK for 20k, but then I tired, and couldn’t reply when Rehima took the lead,” said Mekonnin Demissie.
Nevertheless, Kedir said she wasn’t confident of victory until the closing stages.
Kedir won in 2.34.53, with Mekonnin second in 2.35.05, and a third Ethiopian, Shitaye Gemechu third in 2.35.18.
“I could feel my hamstring pulling at 32k, but it didn’t get any worse, and at 41k, I felt I could win. But before the race, I didn’t think I had any chance; there were several women with faster times than me. I’d like to run a race like Boston next, but I’d be very happy to come back to Hong Kong next year,” commented the winner.
With another pay day like that in prospect, who wouldn’t?
Source: IAAF Athletics

Ethiopian Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon

February 16, 2014
Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon
Some shrewd investing by Ethiopian runners Feyera Gemeda and Rehima Kedir paid off handsomely when they won at the 2014 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, anIAAF Silver Label Road Race on Sunday (16).
Neither was on the list of official invitees, but they wagered over a thousand dollars each on air fares from their base in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, to the Chinese Special Administrative Region.
The Ethiopians’ both pocketed US$65,000 for their wins in 2:15.05 and 2:34:53, their initiative yielded the sort of profit you don’t see often on the stock market nowadays.
Neither had raced in Hong Kong before, and with Kenya’s defending men’s champion, Julius Maisei, sounding confident of an unprecedented second successive men’s victory here, Gemeda bided his time near the head of a group of over 20 that went through halfway in a very slow 70 minutes.
Speaking through an interpreter later, Gemeda said, “I was waiting for Maisei to push the pace, to see how last year’s winner would go; and there were some others there who had faster times than my personal best. But it was never too fast, and I was able to go to the front myself a couple of times. Then when we got to 37k, I saw I could win”.
At 37km, the group had been whittled down to five, with Maisei still trying to impress himself on the others. However, when Gemeda accelerated with five kilometres to go, Maisei was the first to drop off the leading group.
“I thought I could become to the first man to win twice, and I tried. But my muscles tied up at the end, and they were too strong for me today,” reflected Maisei, who eventually finished fifth.
In the meantime, the race had devolved into a scrap between two Ethiopians, Gemeda and Bedada Abdisa Sori, and two other Kenyans, Elisha Kiprop and Willy Kibor.
But Gemeda was not to be denied, He sped away over the remaining four kilometres, running the second half of the race five minutes faster than the first, to win in 2.15.05, with Bedada Abdisa second in 2.15.11, one second ahead of Kibor.
“Financially, this is my best result ever,” said Gemeda, “but my personal best is not fast enough (2.11.45 in Toulouse five months ago), I want to run faster elsewhere. I’ll help my family with this money, but I’ll also use it to take care of myself, and prepare well to run fast somewhere. I didn’t prepare specially for this race, but if the organisers invite me back next year, to defend, I’ll make sure I’ll be well prepared.”
Kedir took the women’s title for her second marathon victory in a row, following a win in Beirut last November.
She too had to beat the defending champion, her compatriot Misiker Mekonnin Demissie, who was going for a hat trick of wins; and failed by just 12 seconds to do so.
“I felt OK for 20k, but then I tired, and couldn’t reply when Rehima took the lead,” said Mekonnin Demissie.
Nevertheless, Kedir said she wasn’t confident of victory until the closing stages.
Kedir won in 2.34.53, with Mekonnin second in 2.35.05, and a third Ethiopian, Shitaye Gemechu third in 2.35.18.
“I could feel my hamstring pulling at 32k, but it didn’t get any worse, and at 41k, I felt I could win. But before the race, I didn’t think I had any chance; there were several women with faster times than me. I’d like to run a race like Boston next, but I’d be very happy to come back to Hong Kong next year,” commented the winner.
With another pay day like that in prospect, who wouldn’t?
Source: IAAF Athletics

Ethiopian Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon

February 16, 2014
Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon
Some shrewd investing by Ethiopian runners Feyera Gemeda and Rehima Kedir paid off handsomely when they won at the 2014 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, anIAAF Silver Label Road Race on Sunday (16).
Neither was on the list of official invitees, but they wagered over a thousand dollars each on air fares from their base in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, to the Chinese Special Administrative Region.
The Ethiopians’ both pocketed US$65,000 for their wins in 2:15.05 and 2:34:53, their initiative yielded the sort of profit you don’t see often on the stock market nowadays.
Neither had raced in Hong Kong before, and with Kenya’s defending men’s champion, Julius Maisei, sounding confident of an unprecedented second successive men’s victory here, Gemeda bided his time near the head of a group of over 20 that went through halfway in a very slow 70 minutes.
Speaking through an interpreter later, Gemeda said, “I was waiting for Maisei to push the pace, to see how last year’s winner would go; and there were some others there who had faster times than my personal best. But it was never too fast, and I was able to go to the front myself a couple of times. Then when we got to 37k, I saw I could win”.
At 37km, the group had been whittled down to five, with Maisei still trying to impress himself on the others. However, when Gemeda accelerated with five kilometres to go, Maisei was the first to drop off the leading group.
“I thought I could become to the first man to win twice, and I tried. But my muscles tied up at the end, and they were too strong for me today,” reflected Maisei, who eventually finished fifth.
In the meantime, the race had devolved into a scrap between two Ethiopians, Gemeda and Bedada Abdisa Sori, and two other Kenyans, Elisha Kiprop and Willy Kibor.
But Gemeda was not to be denied, He sped away over the remaining four kilometres, running the second half of the race five minutes faster than the first, to win in 2.15.05, with Bedada Abdisa second in 2.15.11, one second ahead of Kibor.
“Financially, this is my best result ever,” said Gemeda, “but my personal best is not fast enough (2.11.45 in Toulouse five months ago), I want to run faster elsewhere. I’ll help my family with this money, but I’ll also use it to take care of myself, and prepare well to run fast somewhere. I didn’t prepare specially for this race, but if the organisers invite me back next year, to defend, I’ll make sure I’ll be well prepared.”
Kedir took the women’s title for her second marathon victory in a row, following a win in Beirut last November.
She too had to beat the defending champion, her compatriot Misiker Mekonnin Demissie, who was going for a hat trick of wins; and failed by just 12 seconds to do so.
“I felt OK for 20k, but then I tired, and couldn’t reply when Rehima took the lead,” said Mekonnin Demissie.
Nevertheless, Kedir said she wasn’t confident of victory until the closing stages.
Kedir won in 2.34.53, with Mekonnin second in 2.35.05, and a third Ethiopian, Shitaye Gemechu third in 2.35.18.
“I could feel my hamstring pulling at 32k, but it didn’t get any worse, and at 41k, I felt I could win. But before the race, I didn’t think I had any chance; there were several women with faster times than me. I’d like to run a race like Boston next, but I’d be very happy to come back to Hong Kong next year,” commented the winner.
With another pay day like that in prospect, who wouldn’t?
Source: IAAF Athletics

Ethiopian Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon

February 16, 2014
Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon
Some shrewd investing by Ethiopian runners Feyera Gemeda and Rehima Kedir paid off handsomely when they won at the 2014 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, anIAAF Silver Label Road Race on Sunday (16).
Neither was on the list of official invitees, but they wagered over a thousand dollars each on air fares from their base in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, to the Chinese Special Administrative Region.
The Ethiopians’ both pocketed US$65,000 for their wins in 2:15.05 and 2:34:53, their initiative yielded the sort of profit you don’t see often on the stock market nowadays.
Neither had raced in Hong Kong before, and with Kenya’s defending men’s champion, Julius Maisei, sounding confident of an unprecedented second successive men’s victory here, Gemeda bided his time near the head of a group of over 20 that went through halfway in a very slow 70 minutes.
Speaking through an interpreter later, Gemeda said, “I was waiting for Maisei to push the pace, to see how last year’s winner would go; and there were some others there who had faster times than my personal best. But it was never too fast, and I was able to go to the front myself a couple of times. Then when we got to 37k, I saw I could win”.
At 37km, the group had been whittled down to five, with Maisei still trying to impress himself on the others. However, when Gemeda accelerated with five kilometres to go, Maisei was the first to drop off the leading group.
“I thought I could become to the first man to win twice, and I tried. But my muscles tied up at the end, and they were too strong for me today,” reflected Maisei, who eventually finished fifth.
In the meantime, the race had devolved into a scrap between two Ethiopians, Gemeda and Bedada Abdisa Sori, and two other Kenyans, Elisha Kiprop and Willy Kibor.
But Gemeda was not to be denied, He sped away over the remaining four kilometres, running the second half of the race five minutes faster than the first, to win in 2.15.05, with Bedada Abdisa second in 2.15.11, one second ahead of Kibor.
“Financially, this is my best result ever,” said Gemeda, “but my personal best is not fast enough (2.11.45 in Toulouse five months ago), I want to run faster elsewhere. I’ll help my family with this money, but I’ll also use it to take care of myself, and prepare well to run fast somewhere. I didn’t prepare specially for this race, but if the organisers invite me back next year, to defend, I’ll make sure I’ll be well prepared.”
Kedir took the women’s title for her second marathon victory in a row, following a win in Beirut last November.
She too had to beat the defending champion, her compatriot Misiker Mekonnin Demissie, who was going for a hat trick of wins; and failed by just 12 seconds to do so.
“I felt OK for 20k, but then I tired, and couldn’t reply when Rehima took the lead,” said Mekonnin Demissie.
Nevertheless, Kedir said she wasn’t confident of victory until the closing stages.
Kedir won in 2.34.53, with Mekonnin second in 2.35.05, and a third Ethiopian, Shitaye Gemechu third in 2.35.18.
“I could feel my hamstring pulling at 32k, but it didn’t get any worse, and at 41k, I felt I could win. But before the race, I didn’t think I had any chance; there were several women with faster times than me. I’d like to run a race like Boston next, but I’d be very happy to come back to Hong Kong next year,” commented the winner.
With another pay day like that in prospect, who wouldn’t?
Source: IAAF Athletics

Ethiopian Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon

February 16, 2014
Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon
Some shrewd investing by Ethiopian runners Feyera Gemeda and Rehima Kedir paid off handsomely when they won at the 2014 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, anIAAF Silver Label Road Race on Sunday (16).
Neither was on the list of official invitees, but they wagered over a thousand dollars each on air fares from their base in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, to the Chinese Special Administrative Region.
The Ethiopians’ both pocketed US$65,000 for their wins in 2:15.05 and 2:34:53, their initiative yielded the sort of profit you don’t see often on the stock market nowadays.
Neither had raced in Hong Kong before, and with Kenya’s defending men’s champion, Julius Maisei, sounding confident of an unprecedented second successive men’s victory here, Gemeda bided his time near the head of a group of over 20 that went through halfway in a very slow 70 minutes.
Speaking through an interpreter later, Gemeda said, “I was waiting for Maisei to push the pace, to see how last year’s winner would go; and there were some others there who had faster times than my personal best. But it was never too fast, and I was able to go to the front myself a couple of times. Then when we got to 37k, I saw I could win”.
At 37km, the group had been whittled down to five, with Maisei still trying to impress himself on the others. However, when Gemeda accelerated with five kilometres to go, Maisei was the first to drop off the leading group.
“I thought I could become to the first man to win twice, and I tried. But my muscles tied up at the end, and they were too strong for me today,” reflected Maisei, who eventually finished fifth.
In the meantime, the race had devolved into a scrap between two Ethiopians, Gemeda and Bedada Abdisa Sori, and two other Kenyans, Elisha Kiprop and Willy Kibor.
But Gemeda was not to be denied, He sped away over the remaining four kilometres, running the second half of the race five minutes faster than the first, to win in 2.15.05, with Bedada Abdisa second in 2.15.11, one second ahead of Kibor.
“Financially, this is my best result ever,” said Gemeda, “but my personal best is not fast enough (2.11.45 in Toulouse five months ago), I want to run faster elsewhere. I’ll help my family with this money, but I’ll also use it to take care of myself, and prepare well to run fast somewhere. I didn’t prepare specially for this race, but if the organisers invite me back next year, to defend, I’ll make sure I’ll be well prepared.”
Kedir took the women’s title for her second marathon victory in a row, following a win in Beirut last November.
She too had to beat the defending champion, her compatriot Misiker Mekonnin Demissie, who was going for a hat trick of wins; and failed by just 12 seconds to do so.
“I felt OK for 20k, but then I tired, and couldn’t reply when Rehima took the lead,” said Mekonnin Demissie.
Nevertheless, Kedir said she wasn’t confident of victory until the closing stages.
Kedir won in 2.34.53, with Mekonnin second in 2.35.05, and a third Ethiopian, Shitaye Gemechu third in 2.35.18.
“I could feel my hamstring pulling at 32k, but it didn’t get any worse, and at 41k, I felt I could win. But before the race, I didn’t think I had any chance; there were several women with faster times than me. I’d like to run a race like Boston next, but I’d be very happy to come back to Hong Kong next year,” commented the winner.
With another pay day like that in prospect, who wouldn’t?
Source: IAAF Athletics

Ethiopian Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon

February 16, 2014
Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon
Some shrewd investing by Ethiopian runners Feyera Gemeda and Rehima Kedir paid off handsomely when they won at the 2014 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, anIAAF Silver Label Road Race on Sunday (16).
Neither was on the list of official invitees, but they wagered over a thousand dollars each on air fares from their base in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, to the Chinese Special Administrative Region.
The Ethiopians’ both pocketed US$65,000 for their wins in 2:15.05 and 2:34:53, their initiative yielded the sort of profit you don’t see often on the stock market nowadays.
Neither had raced in Hong Kong before, and with Kenya’s defending men’s champion, Julius Maisei, sounding confident of an unprecedented second successive men’s victory here, Gemeda bided his time near the head of a group of over 20 that went through halfway in a very slow 70 minutes.
Speaking through an interpreter later, Gemeda said, “I was waiting for Maisei to push the pace, to see how last year’s winner would go; and there were some others there who had faster times than my personal best. But it was never too fast, and I was able to go to the front myself a couple of times. Then when we got to 37k, I saw I could win”.
At 37km, the group had been whittled down to five, with Maisei still trying to impress himself on the others. However, when Gemeda accelerated with five kilometres to go, Maisei was the first to drop off the leading group.
“I thought I could become to the first man to win twice, and I tried. But my muscles tied up at the end, and they were too strong for me today,” reflected Maisei, who eventually finished fifth.
In the meantime, the race had devolved into a scrap between two Ethiopians, Gemeda and Bedada Abdisa Sori, and two other Kenyans, Elisha Kiprop and Willy Kibor.
But Gemeda was not to be denied, He sped away over the remaining four kilometres, running the second half of the race five minutes faster than the first, to win in 2.15.05, with Bedada Abdisa second in 2.15.11, one second ahead of Kibor.
“Financially, this is my best result ever,” said Gemeda, “but my personal best is not fast enough (2.11.45 in Toulouse five months ago), I want to run faster elsewhere. I’ll help my family with this money, but I’ll also use it to take care of myself, and prepare well to run fast somewhere. I didn’t prepare specially for this race, but if the organisers invite me back next year, to defend, I’ll make sure I’ll be well prepared.”
Kedir took the women’s title for her second marathon victory in a row, following a win in Beirut last November.
She too had to beat the defending champion, her compatriot Misiker Mekonnin Demissie, who was going for a hat trick of wins; and failed by just 12 seconds to do so.
“I felt OK for 20k, but then I tired, and couldn’t reply when Rehima took the lead,” said Mekonnin Demissie.
Nevertheless, Kedir said she wasn’t confident of victory until the closing stages.
Kedir won in 2.34.53, with Mekonnin second in 2.35.05, and a third Ethiopian, Shitaye Gemechu third in 2.35.18.
“I could feel my hamstring pulling at 32k, but it didn’t get any worse, and at 41k, I felt I could win. But before the race, I didn’t think I had any chance; there were several women with faster times than me. I’d like to run a race like Boston next, but I’d be very happy to come back to Hong Kong next year,” commented the winner.
With another pay day like that in prospect, who wouldn’t?
Source: IAAF Athletics

Ethiopian Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon

February 16, 2014
Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon
Some shrewd investing by Ethiopian runners Feyera Gemeda and Rehima Kedir paid off handsomely when they won at the 2014 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, anIAAF Silver Label Road Race on Sunday (16).
Neither was on the list of official invitees, but they wagered over a thousand dollars each on air fares from their base in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, to the Chinese Special Administrative Region.
The Ethiopians’ both pocketed US$65,000 for their wins in 2:15.05 and 2:34:53, their initiative yielded the sort of profit you don’t see often on the stock market nowadays.
Neither had raced in Hong Kong before, and with Kenya’s defending men’s champion, Julius Maisei, sounding confident of an unprecedented second successive men’s victory here, Gemeda bided his time near the head of a group of over 20 that went through halfway in a very slow 70 minutes.
Speaking through an interpreter later, Gemeda said, “I was waiting for Maisei to push the pace, to see how last year’s winner would go; and there were some others there who had faster times than my personal best. But it was never too fast, and I was able to go to the front myself a couple of times. Then when we got to 37k, I saw I could win”.
At 37km, the group had been whittled down to five, with Maisei still trying to impress himself on the others. However, when Gemeda accelerated with five kilometres to go, Maisei was the first to drop off the leading group.
“I thought I could become to the first man to win twice, and I tried. But my muscles tied up at the end, and they were too strong for me today,” reflected Maisei, who eventually finished fifth.
In the meantime, the race had devolved into a scrap between two Ethiopians, Gemeda and Bedada Abdisa Sori, and two other Kenyans, Elisha Kiprop and Willy Kibor.
But Gemeda was not to be denied, He sped away over the remaining four kilometres, running the second half of the race five minutes faster than the first, to win in 2.15.05, with Bedada Abdisa second in 2.15.11, one second ahead of Kibor.
“Financially, this is my best result ever,” said Gemeda, “but my personal best is not fast enough (2.11.45 in Toulouse five months ago), I want to run faster elsewhere. I’ll help my family with this money, but I’ll also use it to take care of myself, and prepare well to run fast somewhere. I didn’t prepare specially for this race, but if the organisers invite me back next year, to defend, I’ll make sure I’ll be well prepared.”
Kedir took the women’s title for her second marathon victory in a row, following a win in Beirut last November.
She too had to beat the defending champion, her compatriot Misiker Mekonnin Demissie, who was going for a hat trick of wins; and failed by just 12 seconds to do so.
“I felt OK for 20k, but then I tired, and couldn’t reply when Rehima took the lead,” said Mekonnin Demissie.
Nevertheless, Kedir said she wasn’t confident of victory until the closing stages.
Kedir won in 2.34.53, with Mekonnin second in 2.35.05, and a third Ethiopian, Shitaye Gemechu third in 2.35.18.
“I could feel my hamstring pulling at 32k, but it didn’t get any worse, and at 41k, I felt I could win. But before the race, I didn’t think I had any chance; there were several women with faster times than me. I’d like to run a race like Boston next, but I’d be very happy to come back to Hong Kong next year,” commented the winner.
With another pay day like that in prospect, who wouldn’t?
Source: IAAF Athletics

Ethiopian Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon

February 16, 2014
Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon
Some shrewd investing by Ethiopian runners Feyera Gemeda and Rehima Kedir paid off handsomely when they won at the 2014 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, anIAAF Silver Label Road Race on Sunday (16).
Neither was on the list of official invitees, but they wagered over a thousand dollars each on air fares from their base in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, to the Chinese Special Administrative Region.
The Ethiopians’ both pocketed US$65,000 for their wins in 2:15.05 and 2:34:53, their initiative yielded the sort of profit you don’t see often on the stock market nowadays.
Neither had raced in Hong Kong before, and with Kenya’s defending men’s champion, Julius Maisei, sounding confident of an unprecedented second successive men’s victory here, Gemeda bided his time near the head of a group of over 20 that went through halfway in a very slow 70 minutes.
Speaking through an interpreter later, Gemeda said, “I was waiting for Maisei to push the pace, to see how last year’s winner would go; and there were some others there who had faster times than my personal best. But it was never too fast, and I was able to go to the front myself a couple of times. Then when we got to 37k, I saw I could win”.
At 37km, the group had been whittled down to five, with Maisei still trying to impress himself on the others. However, when Gemeda accelerated with five kilometres to go, Maisei was the first to drop off the leading group.
“I thought I could become to the first man to win twice, and I tried. But my muscles tied up at the end, and they were too strong for me today,” reflected Maisei, who eventually finished fifth.
In the meantime, the race had devolved into a scrap between two Ethiopians, Gemeda and Bedada Abdisa Sori, and two other Kenyans, Elisha Kiprop and Willy Kibor.
But Gemeda was not to be denied, He sped away over the remaining four kilometres, running the second half of the race five minutes faster than the first, to win in 2.15.05, with Bedada Abdisa second in 2.15.11, one second ahead of Kibor.
“Financially, this is my best result ever,” said Gemeda, “but my personal best is not fast enough (2.11.45 in Toulouse five months ago), I want to run faster elsewhere. I’ll help my family with this money, but I’ll also use it to take care of myself, and prepare well to run fast somewhere. I didn’t prepare specially for this race, but if the organisers invite me back next year, to defend, I’ll make sure I’ll be well prepared.”
Kedir took the women’s title for her second marathon victory in a row, following a win in Beirut last November.
She too had to beat the defending champion, her compatriot Misiker Mekonnin Demissie, who was going for a hat trick of wins; and failed by just 12 seconds to do so.
“I felt OK for 20k, but then I tired, and couldn’t reply when Rehima took the lead,” said Mekonnin Demissie.
Nevertheless, Kedir said she wasn’t confident of victory until the closing stages.
Kedir won in 2.34.53, with Mekonnin second in 2.35.05, and a third Ethiopian, Shitaye Gemechu third in 2.35.18.
“I could feel my hamstring pulling at 32k, but it didn’t get any worse, and at 41k, I felt I could win. But before the race, I didn’t think I had any chance; there were several women with faster times than me. I’d like to run a race like Boston next, but I’d be very happy to come back to Hong Kong next year,” commented the winner.
With another pay day like that in prospect, who wouldn’t?
Source: IAAF Athletics

Ethiopian Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon

February 16, 2014
Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon
Some shrewd investing by Ethiopian runners Feyera Gemeda and Rehima Kedir paid off handsomely when they won at the 2014 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, anIAAF Silver Label Road Race on Sunday (16).
Neither was on the list of official invitees, but they wagered over a thousand dollars each on air fares from their base in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, to the Chinese Special Administrative Region.
The Ethiopians’ both pocketed US$65,000 for their wins in 2:15.05 and 2:34:53, their initiative yielded the sort of profit you don’t see often on the stock market nowadays.
Neither had raced in Hong Kong before, and with Kenya’s defending men’s champion, Julius Maisei, sounding confident of an unprecedented second successive men’s victory here, Gemeda bided his time near the head of a group of over 20 that went through halfway in a very slow 70 minutes.
Speaking through an interpreter later, Gemeda said, “I was waiting for Maisei to push the pace, to see how last year’s winner would go; and there were some others there who had faster times than my personal best. But it was never too fast, and I was able to go to the front myself a couple of times. Then when we got to 37k, I saw I could win”.
At 37km, the group had been whittled down to five, with Maisei still trying to impress himself on the others. However, when Gemeda accelerated with five kilometres to go, Maisei was the first to drop off the leading group.
“I thought I could become to the first man to win twice, and I tried. But my muscles tied up at the end, and they were too strong for me today,” reflected Maisei, who eventually finished fifth.
In the meantime, the race had devolved into a scrap between two Ethiopians, Gemeda and Bedada Abdisa Sori, and two other Kenyans, Elisha Kiprop and Willy Kibor.
But Gemeda was not to be denied, He sped away over the remaining four kilometres, running the second half of the race five minutes faster than the first, to win in 2.15.05, with Bedada Abdisa second in 2.15.11, one second ahead of Kibor.
“Financially, this is my best result ever,” said Gemeda, “but my personal best is not fast enough (2.11.45 in Toulouse five months ago), I want to run faster elsewhere. I’ll help my family with this money, but I’ll also use it to take care of myself, and prepare well to run fast somewhere. I didn’t prepare specially for this race, but if the organisers invite me back next year, to defend, I’ll make sure I’ll be well prepared.”
Kedir took the women’s title for her second marathon victory in a row, following a win in Beirut last November.
She too had to beat the defending champion, her compatriot Misiker Mekonnin Demissie, who was going for a hat trick of wins; and failed by just 12 seconds to do so.
“I felt OK for 20k, but then I tired, and couldn’t reply when Rehima took the lead,” said Mekonnin Demissie.
Nevertheless, Kedir said she wasn’t confident of victory until the closing stages.
Kedir won in 2.34.53, with Mekonnin second in 2.35.05, and a third Ethiopian, Shitaye Gemechu third in 2.35.18.
“I could feel my hamstring pulling at 32k, but it didn’t get any worse, and at 41k, I felt I could win. But before the race, I didn’t think I had any chance; there were several women with faster times than me. I’d like to run a race like Boston next, but I’d be very happy to come back to Hong Kong next year,” commented the winner.
With another pay day like that in prospect, who wouldn’t?
Source: IAAF Athletics

Ethiopian Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon

February 16, 2014
Gemeda Feyera & Rehima Kedir wins Hong Kong Marathon
Some shrewd investing by Ethiopian runners Feyera Gemeda and Rehima Kedir paid off handsomely when they won at the 2014 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, anIAAF Silver Label Road Race on Sunday (16).
Neither was on the list of official invitees, but they wagered over a thousand dollars each on air fares from their base in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, to the Chinese Special Administrative Region.
The Ethiopians’ both pocketed US$65,000 for their wins in 2:15.05 and 2:34:53, their initiative yielded the sort of profit you don’t see often on the stock market nowadays.
Neither had raced in Hong Kong before, and with Kenya’s defending men’s champion, Julius Maisei, sounding confident of an unprecedented second successive men’s victory here, Gemeda bided his time near the head of a group of over 20 that went through halfway in a very slow 70 minutes.
Speaking through an interpreter later, Gemeda said, “I was waiting for Maisei to push the pace, to see how last year’s winner would go; and there were some others there who had faster times than my personal best. But it was never too fast, and I was able to go to the front myself a couple of times. Then when we got to 37k, I saw I could win”.
At 37km, the group had been whittled down to five, with Maisei still trying to impress himself on the others. However, when Gemeda accelerated with five kilometres to go, Maisei was the first to drop off the leading group.
“I thought I could become to the first man to win twice, and I tried. But my muscles tied up at the end, and they were too strong for me today,” reflected Maisei, who eventually finished fifth.
In the meantime, the race had devolved into a scrap between two Ethiopians, Gemeda and Bedada Abdisa Sori, and two other Kenyans, Elisha Kiprop and Willy Kibor.
But Gemeda was not to be denied, He sped away over the remaining four kilometres, running the second half of the race five minutes faster than the first, to win in 2.15.05, with Bedada Abdisa second in 2.15.11, one second ahead of Kibor.
“Financially, this is my best result ever,” said Gemeda, “but my personal best is not fast enough (2.11.45 in Toulouse five months ago), I want to run faster elsewhere. I’ll help my family with this money, but I’ll also use it to take care of myself, and prepare well to run fast somewhere. I didn’t prepare specially for this race, but if the organisers invite me back next year, to defend, I’ll make sure I’ll be well prepared.”
Kedir took the women’s title for her second marathon victory in a row, following a win in Beirut last November.
She too had to beat the defending champion, her compatriot Misiker Mekonnin Demissie, who was going for a hat trick of wins; and failed by just 12 seconds to do so.
“I felt OK for 20k, but then I tired, and couldn’t reply when Rehima took the lead,” said Mekonnin Demissie.
Nevertheless, Kedir said she wasn’t confident of victory until the closing stages.
Kedir won in 2.34.53, with Mekonnin second in 2.35.05, and a third Ethiopian, Shitaye Gemechu third in 2.35.18.
“I could feel my hamstring pulling at 32k, but it didn’t get any worse, and at 41k, I felt I could win. But before the race, I didn’t think I had any chance; there were several women with faster times than me. I’d like to run a race like Boston next, but I’d be very happy to come back to Hong Kong next year,” commented the winner.
With another pay day like that in prospect, who wouldn’t?
Source: IAAF Athletics