Top Eritrean runners awarded
Prizes during our fund raise party were the following.
-
The
biggest trophy Excellence award
Eritrea's best runner
Zerisenay Tadesse,
EAAA 2005
- Spirit of Excellence award
EAAA's best runner
Meb Kiflezighi,
D.C. 2005
- Spirit of Excellence award
Eritrea's most experienced
runner
Yonas Kifle,
EAAA 2005
- Spirit of Excellence award
EAAA's Best college runner
Simon Bairu,
D.C. 2005
-
Spirit
of Excellence award
EAAA's best female runner
Nigisti Negusse,
D.C. 2005
- Spirit of Excellence award
EAAA's best High school runner
Yosief Ghebray,
D.C. 2005
- EAAA's most accomplished runner in Easter states
Abraham Habte,
D.C. 2005
- EAAA's most improving runner for cross country
Sirak Emanuel,
D.C. 2005
- EAAA's best female runner in Western states
Eden Yonas,
D.C. 2005
- EAAA's most dedicated runner for summer training
Esey Kidane,
D.C. 2005
- Spirit of Excellence Award
EAAA's most enduring athlete
Adhanom Seged,
D.C. 2005
Adhanom
Seged, who ran 17 marathons and traveled twice from New York to Houston on a
bicycle to fund raise for united ways, has set the highest standard of endurance
for our athletes. Adhanom who planned to be in D.C. was unable to come for he
was delayed in South America during his work trip.
Yonas Kifle who participated in
Sydney Olympics sets the highest standard for Eritrean runners inside the
country. Yonas has inspired many athletes including Zerisenay and is a team
captain for our nation's athletic team.
Zerisenay's and Yonas's awards
will be handed to Eritrean Embassy in Washington DC today for shipment to
Eritrea.
Simon Bairu sent a video message
and Meb Kiflezighi an email message wishing to all participants a happy and
successful night, thanking EAAA for the invitation and thanking for the support
they got in their running career.
Eight minute video of Eritrea's
achievement in running and Simon's national cross country competition was shown
right before the award ceremony at about 10:00pm. Simon's video was as if it was
live. Simon beat hundreds of best America's college runners and was crowned the
king of cross country. The participants of our party were clapping their hands
for Simon as if he was there in person.
Simon is our hero who needs our
support today to be like Zerisenay and Meb. Lets support our runners today to
produce heroes who will name our nation every where.
Another awards include the
following:
1.
EAAA's Highest Honorary Award
Dr. Haile Mezghebe
In appreciation for saving so
many lives in his trip of surgerical mission to Eritrea, contributing to Eritrea
through EDF, for his great contribution to Eritrean Medical School, for being
role model in community service, and for his continuous support of EAAA. His
contribution has made a difference in our beloved nation, EAAA and Eritrean
Athletics.
2. EAAA's Supporter of the Year
Hellen Tesfamariam
In appreciation for her
continuous support of EAAA and generous donations. Her contribution has made a
difference in EAAA and Eritrean Athletics.
3. Special plaque for Coach Compton Godette
In appreciation for his
unparralleled efforts to train Eritrean runners during his summer program,
sending them to USA junior Olympics, paying for all of their expenses and being
available seven days to coach them. His contribution will have a unique history
in Eritrean athletics. His contribution has made a difference in EAAA and
Eritrean Athletics.
4.Special plaque for John Behnken
For his donation to
encourage Eritrean runners and his support of EAAA. Mr. Behnken together with
EAAA's public relation, Yonas Abraha, has promised $500 dollars ( then about
$10,000 nakfa) for each Eritrean runner who gets a medal in Athens and climbs to
the podium to voice Eritrean national anthem.
Their promise was fulfilled and
they have sent $600 dollars to Eritrea of which the $500 is for Zerisenay and
$100 dollars to Coach Abebe Zerihun.
John Behnken's contribution has
made a difference in Eritrean Athletics and EAAA.
Awards were given by Ambassador
Girma, His deputy Tsehaye Fassil and Dr. Haile Mezghebe. At the end flowers were
presented to Ambassador Girma, Ato Tsehaye, Dr. Haile, Coach Compton Godette and
Hellen Tesfamariam.
As I mentioned in my speech
Saturday night, Eritrean runners are excelling and we have to use this momentum.
It is not time to relax but to work hard because it not talking that produces
victory, it is work.
EAAA calls up on its members to
double their efforts. Since the government is doing his share and has promised
to help the athletes, the people has to parallel their efforts.
EAAA
members has traveled from other cities paying their expenses, donating for the
cause and working day and night to succeed the party. EAAA members of DC chapter
have paid high price to succeed the party.
Special thanks goes to the
members of our community who worked and helped us as if it was their wedding
party.
Flowers were donated by Cafe
Aurora and Brown's Nissan make 200 t-shirts for EAAA.
Our sponsors: Voice of Eritrea-
DC, E.C.C.C.( Bet Tsihfet), Kedam Mahber, EriAmPAC, Home Nation's Funding,
Brown's Nissan, Cafe Aurora, Portico Restuarant and Lounge, Bahlna.com and more.
Many thanks to them.
A complete list of individual
sponsors and additional sponsoring organizations will be posted in our next
report. Some of them are: Lulu G/hier, Fessehaye Tekle, Amdemichael G.Selassie,
Hellen Tesfamraim, Dr. Marna Lewis-Francis, Azeb Market, Dr. Haile Mezghebe and
more.
Last but not leat, we would like
to thank to Abraham Afewerki and Haile Ghebru together with the musicians-Temesgen,
Gidewon,Selhadin; sound system-Fitsum. Poster and flier designed- Mulugeta and
more.
Video man Solomon Asmelash and
Mike Seium deserve special thanks for their great help in our show.
May God bless Eritrean
Athletics,
Eritrean American
Athletics Association
Washington, DC 2005
