Technovation Ethiopia held the second regional pitching and closing ceremony of the 2018 Technovation challenge on May 12, 2018 at Sapphire Addis Hotel. Seventeen teams of girls from 17 different schools and TVET Colleges participated in this tech challenge and presented their pitch in front of judges, invited guests and parents. Technovation offers girls around the world the opportunity to learn the necessary skills to become tech entrepreneurs and leaders. Girls from age10 to 18 learn to identify a problem in their community and create a mobile app solution to address that problem, and they also learn how to communicate these ideas and translate them into a fully launched business.
For 2018, Synergy Habesha Films and Communications P.L.C in collaboration with the Ethiopian Ministry of Science and Technology, German Development Cooperation implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaftfür Internationale Zuammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ)Sustainable Training and Education Programme (STEP)organized this program. The opening speech was delivered by the Ethiopian Ministry of Science and Technology deputy minister Dr. ShumeteGizaw. In 2018 competition more than 90 students participated. The judges were pulled from the Ethiopian Ministry of Science and Technology, Deutsche Gesellschaftfür Internationale Zuammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) Sustainable Training and Education Programme (STEP) and private sector of information, communication and technology. The applications developed by the participants focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which includes education, health and environment as key subject matters. The tech challenge had four stages: ideation, coding, entrepreneurship and marketing and pitching. Ethiopia became an own chapter in the Technovation Challenge by sending 18 Ethiopian Technovation teams to the Global Technovation competition. Through Technovation, girls develop key 21st century skills and competencies including: critical thinking, creativity, grit, collaboration, initiative, problem solving, communication, curiosity, persistence and adaptability.
The Second Technology Innovation Challenge for Girls held
EFF executive Abebe Gelagay blamed for interference
Ethiopian Football Federation executive member and one of the most influential personality in Juneidn Basha’s cabinet, Abebe Gelagay is blamed for meddling in referral matters and disciplinary measures taken by the officials. “He is a major setback on Referee-Players’ relationship in the field.” remarked international arbiter Dawit Asamenaw.
This is not the first time the former Member of Parliament and current EFF executive Abebe Gelagay had been allegedly blamed for interfering in Ethiopian national team selection when the former Coach Ashenafi Bekele was at the helm. At the time Abebe appeared in public to deny the allegation at the same time clarifying the situation that his role as Organizing Committee chairman was simply in support of the Coach in building a stronger national squad.
This time the allegation came from international referee Dawit Asamenaw who told reporters that Abebe’s interference is rather too strong even some players undermining referee’s red card decision claiming that nothing could come out of it. “When some players got red card they brag on us on the spot that our decision would be turned down soon. How come a player suspended for four matches could be back in to action the next game” remarked Dawit. “The man behind these humiliating deeds is Abebe” Dawit added.
Dawit is not the only one who blamed individual interferences contributed for the current chaotic situation surrounding Ethiopian Football. According to Federal Assistant referee Markos Tufa there are times when red card decisions turned down without the knowledge of the concerned body and in many occasion Clubs’ complaints simply thrown away. “I believe there is some corruption behind these arms twisting of referees” Assistant referee Markos suggested.
Lidya Tafesse to referee at U-20 World Women Cup final
Considering the current chaotic situation surrounding Ethiopian Football, it is very difficult to predict someone to reach higher up in the standard to be capable enough officiating matches at Sport’s biggest ever stage World Cup final. But here comes the second international Ethiopian referee Lidya Tafesse Abebe appointed match referee at Women World U-20 Cup final to be held in France this year.
Ethiopian international referee Lidya Abebe Tefesse is one of the 15 international referees appointed to the 8th Women World U-20 Cup final 8th edition that takes place in host nation France from August 5 to 24, 2018. Only two African referees are appointed to officiate the event the other being Linguwe Glady’s from Zambia.
“It is because of their previous records, individual personalities, physical fitness and consistency that those referees appointed for the Cup final” stated the letter from the sport’s governing body FIFA. Fifteen referees and thirty assistants out of which four are from Continent Africa will have refreshing courses ahead of the Cup final.
The Jimma born Lidya had had a success story in her previous under taking both as Women World Cup and Women African nations Cup final referee. She had also had an impressive record at Jordan U-17 World Women Cup final tournament two years before. Lidya Tafesse is the second huge achievement of Ethiopian Football at international stage next to the renowned referee Bamlak Tesema appointed to take the whistle at Russian World Cup final.
Referees and assistants at the upcoming Fifa U-20 Women’s World Cup final are also candidates to officiate at Fifa World Women Cup final in France next year.
Oumed Oukri’s Samoha SC reaches Egyptian Cup final
Ethiopian international Oumed Oukri leads the Egyptian side Samoha SC in a knock-out Cup final showdown against mighty Zamalek. The 27 year-old striker became the first ever Ethiopian footballer to play in a Cup Final since Salhadin Said who appeared in a Cup final with Wadi Dagela in 2013.
After crushing out the Premier League champion Al-Ahly out of the semifinals, Alassiouty SC was the hot favorite to go through the Cup final, Oumed spear headed by Samoha stirred a major upset on Tuesday sending out the favorites after a 4-3 penalty shootout victory. Though the Gambella born striker missed two golden chances to scroll his name on the score board, he tormented Alassiouty defense for eighty minutes before substitution.
Samoha’s Cup final adversary is the 23 times Cup winners Zamalek that reached for the final phase destroying Ismaily to 4-1 semifinal victory. Just eight years in the upper echelon but going stronger by the years Samoha nick named “The Blue Waves” is considered the underdogs with African giants Zamalek the favorite to lift the coveted trophy.
The former Mekelakya and Saint George attack Oumed has been in Egyptian Premier League since 2014 appearing to four sides: Al-Ethad Alexandria, ENPPI, El-Harby and in his current club Alexandria based Samoah. Eleven goals in to his name including five this season, Oumed stands the second highest scorer of Samoah next to each eight goals heroes Hossam Hassan and Mohammed Hamdi Zaki.
Al-Ahly retained the 2017-18 Egyptian Premier League title for fourth consecutive seasons followed from far by Ismaily, AlMasery and Zamalek respectively. Samoha finished fifth with 51 points.
