FEATURE-Soccer-Ethiopia's 'Walyas' look to make up for lost time

* New beginning for Ethiopia in African Nations Cup

* Winners in 1962, last qualified for finals in 1982

* Team beat Sudan to clinch spot in 2013 tournament

By Aaron Maasho

ADDIS ABABA, Jan 3 (Reuters) - When Mengistu Worku struck deep into extra time against Egypt to clinch Ethiopia's first African Cup of Nations title in 1962, the home victory appeared to herald an era of dominance for the pioneering Horn of Africa country.

While the likes of Ghana and Nigeria fell early in the qualifying rounds, Ethiopia wowed spectators with their flair and fluid passing game, earning the moniker "the Brazil of Africa".

They also reached the tournament's semi-finals in 1963 and 1968 but the euphoria did not last long.

The promise ebbed as a series of lacklustre appearances in later tournaments saw them hobbling to first round exits, while they also inexplicably withdrew from qualifiers on a number of occasions.

Political turmoil in the 1970s and 1980s cast Ethiopia into the footballing wilderness, and some of the country's best players kept hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons by absconding while on international duty.

Fast-forward to 2013 and Ethiopia - nicknamed the Walya Antelopes after an endemic and endangered ibex - are now looking to re-establish themselves in the continental fold after booking a place at this month's African Cup of Nations, their first since 1982 and five decades since they lifted the cup.

Born to run: Ethiopia's golden girl Dibaba

(CNN) -- It could be the spartan living environment, or perhaps growing up in the thin air nearly 3,000 meters above sea level -- or maybe it's the influence of a legendary local coach.
Whatever its secret, a remote mountain town in Ethiopia has produced a string of world-beating distance runners.
Three-time Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba is the current cream of the crop. Like many from her area, she was clearly born to run.
Her elder sister Ejegayehu was an Olympic silver medalist in 2004, while younger sister Genzebe was the 2009 world junior cross country champion and a younger brother Dejene is a promising 800m runner.

"Running is for me my job, but also my source of entertainment," the 27-year-old told CNN's Human to Hero series.
"It's because of running that I am well known around the world. For me, it's the ultimate thing."

Sporting excellence flows through the family genes: Dibaba is the cousin of double Olympic 10,000m champion Derartu Tulu, while she was also inspired by another cousin -- Bekelu, who she often calls her sister, and was an international distance runner.

Comprehensive knowledge about cervical cancer is low among women in Northwest Ethiopia

Cervical cancer is the first most common cancer in women in sub-Saharan Africa followed by breast cancer. In Ethiopia, the incidence of cervical cancer is high i.e.

35.9 per 100,000 women. Low level of awareness, lack of effective screening programs, overshadowed by other health priorities (such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome, tuberculosis and malaria) and insufficient attention to women's health are the possible factors for the observed higher incidence rate of cervical cancers in the country.

Data on knowledge of Ethiopian women regarding cervical cancer is lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of women about cervical cancer and associated factors.

Methods: A community based cross-sectional survey was conducted from April 4-16, 2010 in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia.

A total of 633 women aged 15 years and above were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire by 8 trained data collectors and 2 supervisors. SPSS Windows version 15.0 was employed for data entry and analysis.Result: Of all the respondents, 495 (78.7%) of them had heard about cervical cancer and only 195 (31%) of them were knowledgeable about the disease.

Conclusion: The knowledge of women on cervical cancer was found to be poor.

Education about the disease must include information on risk factors, sign and symptoms of cervical cancer.

7thspace.com

Ethiopia says breaks up Islamist militant cell

(Reuters) - Ethiopian police have arrested 15 suspected militants allegedly trained by Islamist rebels in neighboring Somalia and who were plotting attacks in Ethiopia, the country's intelligence agency said on Wednesday.

The arrests were the latest in a crackdown on what senior officials say is a growing threat from militant Islam in Ethiopia, a Horn of Africa nation predominantly comprised of Orthodox Christians and a large minority of Muslims.

The would-be militants were caught following a 20-day sting operation while they plotted to set up cells in the eastern town of Harar and in Kemise in the northeast, the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) said.

"Members of the group were recruited, trained and armed by Somalia's al Shabaab and their aim was to wage Jihad (holy war) and stage attacks inside the country," an NISS statement said, aired by the state-run Ethiopian Television.

Addis Ababa has sent troops to Somalia to help other African countries battling to crush al Shabaab's six-year insurgency.

Coach Sewunet Named 23 Men Squad

Head Coach of Team Ethiopia Sewunet Bishaw names his 23-man squad for the 2013 African Nations Cup:

Goalkeepers:- Jemal Tassew (Ethiopian Coffee), Sisay Bancha (Dedebit), Zerihun Tadele (St George)

Defenders:- Seyoum Tesfaye (Dedebit), Alula Girma (St George), Aynalem Hailu (Dedebit), Degu Debebe (St George), Biyadigilegn Elias (St George), Abebaw Butaqo (St George), Berhanu Bogale (Dedebit)

Midfielders:- Behailu Assefa (Dedebit), Addis Hintsa (Dedebit), Asrat Megerssa (EEPCO), Yared Zinabu (St George), Dawit Estifanos (Ethiopian Coffee), Shimelis Bekele (St George), Minyahel Teshome (Dedebit), Yussuf Saleh (Syrianska / Sweden)

Attackers:- Oumed Ukuri (St George), Salhadin Seid (Wadi Degla / Egypt), Adane Girma (St George), Getaneh Kebede (Dedebit), Fuad Ibrahim (Minnesota Stars / USA)

Sheraton Addis to Host African Mosaique Fashion Show 2013

The Sheraton Addis is set to host the 2013 first edition of African Mosaique, biennial fashion and cultural galaa that aims to promote and celebrate African fashion. The platform that is also expected to highlight 3 renowned African designers from South Africa Naked Ape by Shaldon Kopman and Wetive Nkosi, and from Mozambique Taibo Bacar, will take place this week on January 4, 2013.

According to the organizers, all proceeds will benefit ECF Children’s Fund (formerly The Ethiopian Children’s Fund, ECF). In keeping with the founding philosophy of African Mosaique, 6 established and emerging Ethiopian designers will also share this platform to showcase elements ranging from the festive to the ceremonial to the spectacular and classical. These designers are Mafi, Mela, MESHKI Ethiopia, Urban Roots Eco Couture, YeFikir Design and Yohannes Sisters’ Couture (full designers profile attached).

This year’s celebrity models include Huguette Marara (Rwanda), Percina Manjate (Mozambique), Letshego Melesi and Priyeshka Lutchman both from South Africa, as well as 20 professional models from Addis.

Ethiopia convicts ten for Al-Qaeda links

An Ethiopian court convicted ten people of having links to Al-Qaeda, including leading "terrorism cells," and of laundering money.

"We have found them guilty," said judge Bahru Darcha.

The convicts, who included one Kenyan, were charged in April under Ethiopia’s anti-terrorism legislation with having links with Islamist extremists, the first trial in Ethiopia for Al-Qaeda suspects.

All but the Kenyan pleaded not guilty.

While the crimes carry a maximum penalty of death, prosecutors requested a sentence of life in prison. Defence lawyers said they would appeal.

The court will hand the convicts their sentence on January 15.

Rights groups have criticized Ethiopia’s anti-terrorism law for being vague and used to stifle peaceful dissent.

Since introduced in 2009, all people accused under the legislation have been found guilty, including two Swedish journalists who were jailed last year and pardoned in September.

Prominent blogger Eskinder Nega and leading opposition member Andualem Arage were among 24 people convicted on terrorism-related charges last year. Both are appealing the ruling.

www.timeslive.co.za