BY YOHANES JEMANEH
Culture Tourism and Sport Minister Hirut Kassaw (PhD) appears making intra-communication whether the award is commensurate with the receiver. Is this medal glamorous to satisfy the prime minister’s thirst and passion for sport? Does the award properly reveal the receiver’s effort to breathe life into his country’s sport? Looking at Hirut staring at the medal poses many questions in the mind of the viewer.
She was staring at the medal which is the highest award of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA). This award is called Order of Merit. It is given by the Association to leaders who make significant contribution for the development of Africa’s sport. And this year, the award went to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Hirut received it from the hands of Association President Mustafa Berraf on behalf of Abiy. Prime Minister Abiy won the award for his valuable efforts for the development of sport. He also got the award for his valuable financial offering of three billion Birr. The money will be channeled towards the construction of Olympic village.
Hirut described Abiy as a man who has a knowhow of sport. He benefits from the various merits of sport. Actually, Abiy uses sport not only for exercise but also to keep himself fit and cautious from his enemies. For example, he applied push up to sent off a military dispatched to him by perpetrators, Hirut recalled. And it worked, she said.
It seems simple, but, to a leader who is surrounded by armed soldiers unknown intent inside his palace, sending them off with few pushups requires the wisdom to knowing the power of sport as a stress-relief treatment. By doing so, he spared his life and saved his country from unpredictable crisis.
Beyond his personal benefit, the prime minister also used to make several works to the development of sport in the country. He has facilitated a wide space for sporting at Entoto Park, an impressive and all-inclusive project initiated by the Prime Minister. Hirut stated that the park has several sporting fields for horse and bike riding, and athletics fields among others.
In addition to this, Abiy, as a young leader of the [youngsters’] country, has a strong belief in nurturing the youth through sport. He also played the leading role in facilitating sought-for sporting fields for the youth and launching mass sport in his tenure. He is playing the prime role to convince youths to give due attention for sport and voluntary activities, she said.
And these works are seen bearing fruits as youths are actively engaging in various voluntarism activities like combating coronavirus pandemic, restoring elders’ houses and water hyacinth removal campaign. Though a lot remains to be done, the sporting activities are helping the nation to churn out virtuous citizens that have a good physical and mental health. This way, they could be disciplined.
Those who undergone such approach will be more friendly and happier. This helps to strengthen the social bond. Moreover, it is helpful to elevate the image of the country in the eyes of foreigners. ANOCA’s President Mustafa Berraf has just appreciated this commendable approach and hospitable treatment in all areas he travelled in his stay here.
He was in the capital to attend the general assembly of his association. The President stated that Ethiopia is a great nation that has hospitable people. He is also thankful of the care and services he got here during his stay.
As a matter of fact, it is the person himself who drives benefits from the merits of making physical exercise. This enables the person to get a sound physical and mental health and to be active for his daily routines.
This will also help others to get hospitable service and support from such persons as the sport helps to be voluntarily. This is very significant to strengthen cooperation among people and achieve common goal easily as it helps to develop a sense of belongingness and better understanding of each other.
It is here the value of appreciating and acknowledging leaders’ role in the area become more significant. In this regard, the efforts of ANOCA shall be sustained to increase the number of Africans who are shaped to be healthy and voluntarily through sport supported by their leaders.
The more we create leaders who conjure up the Order of Merit in their minds, the more we become capable to step up the number of virtuous Africans.
The Ethiopian Herald December 11/2020
