Ethiopia’s Zeineba Yimer Kenya’s Abel Kipchumba, were overwhelming winners at the Valencia 15km Banco Mediolanum, beating quality fields at the IAAF Bronze Label event.
Ethiopia’s Zeineba Yimer and Kenya’s Dorcas Jepchumba, both paced by Morocco’s Hassane Ahouchar, were the early leaders in the women’s race, which was held alongside the men’s event.
The opening and slightly uphill first 5km of 15:26 suggested that the top contenders could challenge the Spanish 15km all-comers’ record of 46:14 set by Florence Kiplagat en route to breaking the then world half marathon record in Barcelona four years ago.
However, the speed decreased in the following kilometers as the leaders covered the second 5km in 15:52, bringing them to 10km in 31:18. By then, the third-placed runner, Jebesa Zenebu Fikadu of Ethiopia, was some way behind the leaders with 32:45.
The key move came shortly after the 12th kilometre when – still paced by Ahouchar – Zeineba managed to break away from a tiring Kimeli and then upped her pace over the closing stages to finish inside 47 minutes with a course record of 46:52. Kimeli followed 40 seconds later while Fikadu secured the third spot in 49:15.
The 20-year-old victor is one of the 20 quickest ever women over the half marathon courtesy of her 1:05:46 career best set in Ras Al Khaimah last February to take third. More than 10,000 runners took part in the event.
Ethiopian Zeineba Yimer set Valencia course record
Sentayehu Mengestu leads Super League goal hunt
Steering Wolkite Town to promotion Ahmed Hussein is the leading top scorer of the Super league followed by Sentayehu Mengestu of Arbaminch Town. Most of the teams in the league working on their defensive line and the Coaches’ plan more to splitting points in away matches than going for a win, critics suggested the goal draught manifests on how the current season was full o0f frustrations.
Little known Ahmed Hussein is said to be the most important player of Wolkite for he is a phenomenal striker who sometimes singlehandedly guide the side to a much important away win scoring goals out of the blue. “These days’ winning away match is almost an impossible task for any visitor side. But thanks to Ahmed who is capable of eyeing goal scoring chances and taking fast decisions once reaching the box, the team’s long awaited dream is on the verge of turning true,” a team mate revealed.
Ahmed rumored to join Wolayta Dicha in the coming new season and popular among fans for number of assists to team mates. Ahmed and strike partner Habetamu tadesse scored more than half of Wolkite Town’s total 41 goal tally out of which Ahmed scored 13.
Flourished under lately appointed Coach Mesay Teferi, Sentayehu Mengestu managed to score 12 goals to take the runner-up spot. Five players: Ethiopia Medin one target man Abduletif Murad, Woldiya Town’s Tesfaye Negash, Wolkite’s Habtamu Tadesse, Daniel Dawit of Nekemte Town and Sebeta’s deadly goal machine Natniel Ganchula are joint third each scoring 11 goals.
Dereje Belay pipes Wolkite to Premier League
Ethiopia Medin’s season long campaign of Premier League promotion came to an end following the 2-1 away defeat to home side Dilla Town last Sunday. Four points and five goals clear of the top table Wolkite Town is already more than half way in to promotion despite two fixtures to go.
Though the two sides face each other on the final week end of the league next Sunday, Wolkite could wrap up things today in an away match against humble side Negele Town. A draw is more than enough for the former Defense Force and Ethiopian national team defender turned Coach Dereje Belay to share a place in Ethiopian Football history book as the second Coach to help promote three Super League sides next to Mekonen W/ Yohannes.
Fourteen wins, three draws and three defeats Wolkite is in control of the Super League group (B) table with 45 points and five goals thus as good as declaring champion of the group and securing a place at next year top tier. Sacked from Medin mid-season last year, it appears the right time for a cold revenge for Dereje who previously led Sebeta Town and Jimma AbuBuna in to the Premier League. “We are going to finish business against Negele today then ready for a historic win in front of our home supporters against Medin in the group closing match next Sunday” a senior committee member remarked.
What is remarkable about the promotion is Medin’s failure despite commanding a superior annual budget nearly triple of that of Wolkite.
Will Addis Ababa teams go their separate ways?
Government institution sponsored teams getting frustrated for failing to compete on equal footing against regional clubs and visiting regional teams are becoming a theatre of harassments. Now, Addis Ababa clubs are said to be plotting to walk out of the Ethiopian Premier League at the end of the current season; considered by many the worst of all times. The Addis Ababa Football federation has 22 teams under its jurisdiction.
The recent development surrounding the sport has become so frustrating that twenty-two football clubs from the Capital are rumored to force the federation for a major platform change of the competition. Showing a strong solidarity behind popular side Ethiopia Coffee, many of the clubs from the Capital are said to be fed up with maltreatment from Ethiopian Football Federation currently led by former Jimma AbaJifar President turned EFF President Issayas Jirra and former Dedebit President currently EFF Vice Colonel Awol Aburakim. According to unconfirmed sources forming a new league format is the hot issue among Addis Ababa clubs that have number of grievances on how the governing body is running the show. Therefore Addis Ababa is said in support of the demand for a change at least until the current ethnic based turmoil ends. “Half of the annual budget is properly spent directly to the sport. The rest goes for unnecessary logistical expenses, per diems and unaccounted expenditures. Therefore it is time to check the situation,” a seasoned football fan suggested. “Sport for ones’ country is meant a tool for peace, love and stability. But these days in Ethiopian context it is totally different therefore we need some time to come to our senses,” he added.
Represented by more than seven teams at the start of the new format, Ethiopia Coffee, Saint George and Mekelakya (only three out of sixteen clubs) are surviving at the Premier League while the likes of Ethio-Electric, Ethiopia Medin are struggling with the almost impossible undertaking of promotion from Super League. Ethiopia NegedBank and Nyala are teams that got lost in the past few years. Many believe it is the result of the new format that turned everything in to a political arena.
With all that in mind Addis Ababa Football Federation appeared to come in to its sense taking a major step in backing popular side Ethiopia Coffee in its firm stand never to play behind closed gates in the match against visitors Mekele Town. Though peace brokers are busy for a face saving settlement for the federation, the damage has already done with Addis Ababa teams forging a strong solidarity that could rock the federation from the foundation.
