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| The football ground of the Lane Technical High School in Chicago where the tournament will be held. |
In a series of events to be held between 28 June and 4 July 2009, the Ethiopian Sport Federation in North America is organizing this year’s festival in Chicago, while the city of Chicago is hosting the festival for the first time in the organization's 26 year history.
In a statement posted on the federation’s website, the newly elected president, Mr Mekonnen Demisiew, has said: “It gives me great pleasure and honour to invite you to the celebration of our 26th anniversary of ESFNA in the beautiful city of Chicago.
“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,” he said.
ESFNA has a tradition of selecting various Guests of Honour to attend the festival every year in order to honour the individual’s contributions to the Ethiopian society.
This year, Artist Mulatu Astatke, who is a renowned composer and arranger dubbed as the father of Ethiopian jazz, and Mr Basha Hailu, a former soccer star and coach are chosen to be the Guests of Honour.
The week-long event, renowned for being the biggest Ethiopian sporting and cultural event outside of Ethiopia, will be held at the Lane Technical High School, which is located on the northwest side of Chicago.
The festival debuted in 1984 in Huston, Texas, with the purpose of bringing Ethiopians across the United States together in one city. Some years later, not only was it the one event that brought Ethiopians in the US together, it also attracted Ethiopians from around the globe.
Apart from soccer matches and similar sporting activities, the festival has often been a once-a-year opportunity for Ethiopians and non-Ethiopians alike to come together and celebrate the many aspects of the Ethiopian culture from food to Ethiopian merchandise to music and much more.
Founded in 1984, ESFNA says it aims “to provide positive role models for the youth, promoting goodwill between the Ethiopian communities in North America and creating a bridge where people from Ethiopia and North America can interact in a mutually beneficial manner.
“In addition to the sports event, the Federation also promotes cultural activities to provide opportunities for Americans to learn more about Ethiopia’s culture and history.”
The statement given out by ESFNA’s president Mr Mekonnen Demisiew reminds Ethiopians in America that his organisation “continues to provide the most unique stage for all Ethiopians from different backgrounds to come together to celebrate our diversity, establish connections, and meet long lost friends while having a great time.
“I ask for your continued support and participation as we work even harder to make this unique Ethiopian event more memorable,” he said.
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