Ethiopia’s involvement in formation of CAF contributed to its diplomacy, visibility: veteran coach
Addis Ababa, January 13, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopia’s involvement in the establishment of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) significantly enhanced its diplomatic influence and global prominence, the former Ethiopia national football team head coach Sewnet Bishaw pronounced.
The veteran football coach Sewnet Bishaw said this after visiting the Diplomatic Week Exhibition at the Science Museum in Addis Ababa yesterday. With a theme ‘From an African Hub to the World’, the exhibition aims to highlight Ethiopia’s modern diplomatic history, current diplomatic achievements, and potential for future diplomatic endeavors. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the exhibition will remain open to the public until February 2, 2024.
Recall that the FDRE President Sahle-Work Zewde during her opening remarks on Thursday extended her invitation to all Ethiopians and the diplomatic community stationed in Addis Ababa to pay a visit to the exhibition. In response to the President’s invitation, Sewunet was one of the various prominent figures who showed up and toured the exhibition.
Sharing his thoughts on what he witnessed at the exhibition, the CAF Instructor Sewnet stated, “Sport has the power to bring people together while boosting a country’s image.”
He emphasized that Ethiopia’s involvement in the formation of the African Football Federation (CAF) has significantly contributed to its diplomacy and visibility.
It is known that Instructor Sewnet Bishaw led the Ethiopian national team to the 2013 AFCON tournament after 31 years absence. He has had a massive impact on the national team in his tenure as the head coach of the Walias.
Unfortunately, his country will not be in the 34th edition of TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023) tournament which will kick off later today in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The Walias missed out on this year’s tournament after finishing bottom of Group D in the qualifiers where Egypt toppled the group, ahead of second-placed Guinea and Malawi in 3rd spot. Although Ethiopia national team registered a famous 2-0 victory over Egypt in the first leg, both sides finished at the contrasting ends of the group.