FATHER OF MODERN ETHIOPIAN SOCCER Ato Yidnekachew Tessema (1921-1987) Ato Yidnekechew Tessema is the Father of Modern Sport in Ethiopia. The son of Negadras Tessema Eshete, a legendary literary figure of the Menelik era, Ato Yidnekachew was born in the city of Jimma in Southern Ethiopia on New Year day - Meskerem 1, 1914. When he was four years old, the family moved to Addis Ababa where young Yidnekachew attended Teferi Mekonnen school where he excelled in sports, particularly, soccer. In 1935, he joined the the St. George soccer club and qualified to play in the national team. In 1943, Yidnekachew opened the first Ethiopian sport federation with his colleague Amde Mikael Desalegn and served as the secretary of the soccer and sport federation and president of national Olympics committee and commissioner of Sports federation. Yidnekachew’s contribution also extended to sport in the African continent with the successful creation of the African Soccer Federation (CAF) in 1964. He served CAF as the deputy president between 1964-1972 and as the President between 1972 and 1987. He was also member of the African Sport Congress, International Olympics Committee, FIFA and President of the African Olympics Committee. In his long career, Yidnekachew was awarded numerous medals and awards by the Ethiopian and other government as well as organizations. He died on August 20, 1987 after a long illness.
Posted on: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 18:03:55 +0000
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