Any citizen of a given country plays a role of ambassadorship and represents his/her country. Especially, society lions can act as ambassadors. Public diplomatic relationship has also been upheld and reflected in the entity of Run Africa Travel Sport.
Run Africa is a travel program that works on conducting adventurous events, experiencing fun-packed situations, hiking and engaging in athletics activities. Ilsa Vanmierlo is originally from Netherland. She works in Run Africa as Communications and Marketing manager. Via communication channels she is the one who clicks with people interested to run on the road for Africa and run with local athletes and foreigners. Excerpts:
Herald: What is that initiated Run Africa to engage in this activity?
There are two things about life. The first one is learning outdoor sport and I am the key runner. Second, it would be discovering the new culture. Actually, this experience is perfect for me. I am admiring beautiful nature. It also affords me chances to learn about Ethiopian lifestyle, Ethiopian athletes. That is really special.
Herald: Does it have a positive impact in enhancing diplomatic relations Africa and the western countries?
I believe so. Ethiopia is endowed with talented individuals in the athletics field. There are so many ambassadors, Haile Gebre-selassie, Kenenesa Bekele, Tirunesh Debaba are but to mention the prominent few who represent Ethiopia as ambassadors.
I also believe that sport is a unifying activity. Of course, Olympic Games are key in unifying fun and enhancing linkage between other continents and Africa. It has a very positive impact. We set aside or any other complex things. It is also possible to accomplish diplomatic missions through sports in a positive way.
Herald: What are the social impacts of engaging in physical exercises and hiking for the society of a given country?
Ethiopia is gifted when it comes to running sport. It stands shoulder high on the athletics fields. If foreigners need to engage in the athletics activity, Ethiopia is a land of pro-athletics culture.
It is also an ideal place for hiking activities, meeting people on the way, exchanging greetings, attending traditional coffee ceremonies as well as seeing firsthand how kocho and similar foods are made from false banana. Via its programs when Run Africa takes aboard people in hiking and physical exercises, it allows contact among the total population of the country.
Herald: Hiking and doing physical exercise are more of western’s culture? Do you think these activities are relevant for the Ethiopians?
Hiking and physical activities are very popular in western countries. There are many people engaged in sport and there are many clubs to join. Competition involving fun-games. All these are actually links to adventurous events worth money to spend for.
Ethiopia has also a big place in Mesekel Square. It is not uncommon to see people playing football on the street and doing push-ups. Some residents of Addis are enjoying sports as well. There are also big events. Ethiopia’s economy is growing and sports clubs have also become demandable.
Herald: Do these activities create people- to-people connectivity among the world society?
Yes, I am sure about that. Because when two people are doing sport together, they share passion and they get a step-closer to each other. When these two people come from two different countries, the situation facilitates a good platform for emotional and intellectual attachment. And also we bring visitors to the forest to mix with Ethiopian athletes. They enjoy great moment while sticking together for the exchange of ideas.
Herald: How do you assess the landscape and the weather condition of the country? Is it conducive for attracting tourists and running business as well as having residential houses here?
Ethiopia’s climate is very famous throughout the world. The country is well- known as a land of 13th months of sunshine. The rain season is very important to revive the flora and fauna. It is very good and reliable based on the time of the year. So both for business purposes and for living, it is good to enjoy the weather condition of the country.
For example, during the rainy season, there is going be a lot of water. Ethiopia is very convenient to live and doing business.
Herald: Does your organization have any role in cultural diplomacy?
Actually, it is difficult to compare with the task ambassadors are discharging in the country. But in informal way, we are definitely doing some diplomatic mission in the place of Run Africa travel sport.
In exchanging of between our visitor, local and foreign visitors, they are exchanging ideas and some experiences. The Ethiopian athletes show their life styles to the trainers and tourists.
Our activities in a great way facilitate cultural diplomacy. The goal should go hand in hand. Our events can crate chances to learn a lot from foreign visitors about the situation in the world, what they think, how they run their lives.
Herald: Does your organization have any positive influence in exchanging culture and knowledge as well as sharing capital and experiences as well as introducing technology for the betterment of the Ethiopian society as well as tourists?
I think there are a lot of exchanges in this regard. Firstly in intangible ways it shares experiences, how to do hiking and physical exercise, adventurous events.
Ethiopian coaches and athletes get extra income for lessons given to foreigners and tourists. We also transfer software application format and equipment for the local people that track and monitor running speed, timing, attitudinal peaks and training programs.
This application is very popular in the western world. It has proved a nice way for Ethiopian athletes too. They have a means to buy cellphone on how to develop the software application for running and hiking purposes and track training. In a general sense of speaking, both of them exchange ideas, experiences, culture and knowledge. They as well share capital.
Herald: Do you think your organization plays a lot in attracting tourists to come to Ethiopia?
Yes, we really espouse that. This is the main purpose of Run Africa. It is looking for experiences of advanced countries in attitudinal training programs. It will bring to Ethiopia a lot of things. A high attitude encourages tourist influx. We can draw outdoor sport experiences from countries abroad.
Herald: What must the government do to extend the range of the tourism sector?
That is a good question. I think the government should work very closely with people who are already in the tourism sector. The Ministry of Tourism and Culture must ask what the tourists are demanding. It is good to forge relations with travel agencies and other related tourism organizations.
Infrastructure is very important for the tourism sector. Promotion must be done well. Historical spots, sceneries and greeneries should be displayed in the tourism sights not only for the local people but also for foreign tourists as well. In short, everything in tourism sector must be peaceful and positive.
Herald: Who are the clients of the organization?
Most of the customers actually are drawn from Europe and USA. The majority of the tourists are interested in hiking programs. Middle class individuals too are interested in athletics and hiking programs. These activities attract more tourists.
Herald: What sort of services does you organization provide?
The main service we are offering is training Ethiopian athletes and strengthening athletics club as well hiking fans. Hiking is better for those who are not happy on athletics training program. Enjoying views is one of the tasks we do as recreational practice.
Herald: At last, do you have a message to convey?
I am gratefull for Ethiopians who cordially allowed me to reside in the country. And I am devoting my time to athletics and hiking fields. I want to encourage everybody to stay what they are and to proceed forward. Ethiopia is a country of positive, friendly and open people.
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday Edition 10 November 2019
BY MEHARI BEYENE
