BY TEWODROS KASSA
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), sports tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in tourism. More and more tourists are interested in sport activities during their trip whether sports are the main objective of their travel or not. Sport events of various kinds attract tourists as participants or spectators; and destinations try to add local flavors to enable visitors to have authentic local experiences. Mega sport events such as Olympics and World Cups can be a catalyst for tourism development if successfully leveraged in terms of destination branding, infrastructure development and other economic and social benefits.
Tourism and sports are interrelated and complementary. Sports as a professional, amateur or leisure activities involve a considerable amount of traveling to play and compete in different destinations. Major sporting events, such as the Olympic Games, football and rugby competitions have become powerful tourism attractions in themselves making a very positive contribution to the tourism image of the host destination.
Ethiopia is known for its long-distance runners. The country’s athletes have gain momentum through gathering numerous international medals and awards through winning marathon, 10,000 and, 5,000 meters race, among others.
Different experts also applauded the country’s topography, climate, and organic foods as an input that bolsters athletes’ winning capacity; and in turn, the sector is contributing a lot in country’s socio-economic development. Currently, several, teenagers are doing continues trainings in the highlands of the country to realize their dreams of becoming a professional athlete in the future; following the footsteps of those legendary athletes. At the recent competition, The Great Ethiopian Run, founded by the legendary Ethiopia’s famous long distance runner Athlete Haile Gebreselassie in 2000, many youths are seen ran enthusiastically. The 22nd edition of The Great Ethiopian Run was held at Meskel Square; in Addis Ababa with the participation of more than 40,000 people.
On the event, President Sahle-Work Zewde, Addis Ababa Mayor, Adanech Abiebie, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Kejela Merdasa and other senior government officials as well guests including renowned Kenyan athletes and tourists attended the 10 kilometer annual street race. The Great Ethiopian Run is the first biggest event in Africa and sixth in the world’s international street races. It is believed to be one of the most important events to promoting sports tourism in Ethiopia. It was indicated that the Great Ethiopian Run has successfully conducted more than 100 races in various cities in the country over the past years.
More importantly, The Great Ethiopian Run, a 10-kilometer street race, held every year in Ethiopia has become a potential event to attract more tourists to the country. It has achieved more than just competition in its journey that has lasted for more than twenty years. In the past two years, this competition, which was held with a limited number of participants due to the threat of the COVID-19 Pandemic, has returned this year in full glory and attracted more than forty thousand participants at the Meskel Square.
Participants of the race dressed in green, yellow and red t-shirts make Addis Ababa bright annually. In addition to Ethiopians, many foreigners also proved that the Great Ethiopian Run is one of the world’s top ten road races that attract various nationals. Aside from the social, economic, diplomatic and other benefits of the contest, the various scenes and the special atmosphere of the race have become a manifestation of the beauty and unity of Ethiopia. The fact that the competition is more than a sporting event is not new today, but the level and the attention given to it has been increasing year after year.
Different participants also witnessed that the Great Ethiopian Run is not only a sports competition but also a symbol of solidarity, peace, love and cooperation among Ethiopians.
Accordingly, numerous neighboring countries athletes are utilizing the Great Ethiopian Run properly to show their potentials through participating in the annual contest. Kenyan and Ugandan athletes are among the leading participants in the Great Ethiopian Run.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2022
