EFF slaps Yohannes with a five match ban
Nine consecutive matches without a win and a shocking half a dozen goals away defeat to Sidama Bunna, things are getting nastier on Welwalo Adigrat Coach Yohannes Sahle who was handed a five matches ban following the 3-2 defeat at the hands of Baherdar. This is the second time Yohannes treated with such a heavy slap.
It is not only the nine matches in a row defeat that took everyone by surprise. But five defeats with the latest one a 5-0 demolition by home side Sidama-Bunna and the 1-0 home defeat to Hadiya-Hossana is what makes the situation a bizarre one.
Welwalo’s latest record shows three draws: two at home with Ethiopia Bunna and Jimma AbaJifar and five defeats including the 1-0 defeat to cross town rival Mekele and the controversial 3-1 defeat to Baherdar.
The five matches suspension and the 8,000 Birr fine from Ethiopian Football Federation following Coach Yohannes’ un sportive behavior at the away match against Baherdar is what makes Welawalo’s free-fall all the more dramatic. Slipping from table top to eighth in the table is one thing but add to that Yohannes’ five match suspension from the touch line, Welwalo’s fate is in critical situation.
Although some suggested the five matches suspension is a bit harsh for what Yohannes did at Baherdar.
Registration starts for 2020 Vodacom Women First 5km
On Wednesday 29th January race organisers of the Vodacom Women First 5km, Great Ethiopian Run plc, launched registration for the 2020 edition of the race. This year will be the 17th edition of its popular women’s-only race which will take place on Sunday 15th March 2020, exactly one week after International Women’s Day.
With the South African mobile communications company lining up as the new title sponsor, the race aims to increase total registration to 15,000, an increase of 2,000 on the number registered last year. The race route remains unchanged with the traditional start and finish venues by Atlas Hotel.
The not-for-profit organisation Nutrition International is the race’s new message partner and will be showcasing the message “With Good Nutrition She Will Grow into It”.
In the run-up to the race participants are being invited to take part in the 2020 Vodacom Fitness Challenge, a 4-week training programme designed specifically towards participation in the race on Sunday 15th March.
Participants completing the 5km distance in under 35 minutes will receive, in addition to their race medal, a certificate signed by Ethiopia’s double Olympic champion and Women First race ambassador Meseret Defar.
Registration opens on Monday 3 February with participants able to sign up for the race at Great Ethiopian office and four branches of Enat Bank (Mexico, Addisu Gebeya, Kasanchis and Megenagna).
Worknesh to defend Boston Marathon titles
Reigning champions Ethiopian Worknesh Degefa and Kenyan Lawrence Cherono head a list of eight past winners who will line up for the 124th edition of the Boston Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Label road race, on 20 April.
Worknesh, the Ethiopian record holder at 2:17:41, won by an impressive 42-second margin while Cherono won the 2019 race by two seconds over two-time winner Lelisa Desisa.
During the race, Worknesh said, “I could see first-hand how special the city of Boston, all the towns along the course, and the community is to so many people. And of course, I look forward to the challenge next April of once again racing against the world’s best athletes.”
That line up will include 2015 winner Caroline Rotich and 2017 champion Edna Kiplagat, both of Kenya, and Des Linden of the US, who won in 2018. Locally, Linden’s appearance will warrant considerable attention, coming less than eight weeks after she’ll race at the USA Olympic Team Trials Marathon on 29 February.
In the men’s race, Cherono will take on 2018 winner Yuki Kawauchi of Japan, Kenyan Goeffrey Kirui, the 2017 winner, and Desisa, the winner in 2013 and 2015.
“Boston will have a special place in my memories forever,” said Cherono, who has won eight marathons, most recently Chicago in October. “I loved every mile of this race and fought until the end to achieve the first place and become part of the elite family to have won the most prestigious race of the world.”
