|
EAAA awarded Top Eritrean runners and supporters during its Fund Raise Party
Top Eritrean runners awarded Prizes during our fund raise party were the following.
1.The biggest trophy Excellence award
Eritrea 's best runner
Zerisenay Tadesse , EAAA 2005
2.Spirit of Excellence award
EAAA's best runner
Meb Kiflezighi , D.C. 2005
3.Spirit of Excellence award
Eritrea 's most experienced runner
Yonas Kifle , EAAA 2005
4.Spirit of Excellence award
EAAA's Best college runner
Simon Bairu , D.C. 2005
5.Spirit of Excellence award
EAAA's best female runner
Nigisti Negusse , D.C. 2005
6.Spirit of Excellence award
EAAA's best High school runner
Yosief Ghebray , D.C. 2005
7.EAAA's most accomplished runner
In Easter states
Abraham Habte , D.C. 2005
8.EAAA's most improving runner
for cross country
Sirak Emanuel , D.C. 2005
9.EAAA's best female runner
in Western statesEden Yonas , D.C. 2005
10.EAAA's most dedicated runner
for summer training
Esey Kidane , D.C. 2005
11. 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
|
