Sports

Getachew Gebrehiwot, left, (R.I.P.) was one of the most active
sports men of the ENAD and has played a big role
as a participant and as a leader
of deaf sports until his death.
(Photo: From ENAD's archives)

One thing the ENAD has been most active consistently over the years has been in the participation of its members in sports. In order to support sportive activities of its members, members had agreed to contribute money on top of the monthly membership contributions they have been making. Although the amount was minimal, it however shows the interest every member has to support sportive activities.

Volleyball games were held on
13 Tir 1971 (21 January 1979)
during the awareness week in support of
persons affected by man made and natural disasters
(Photo: From T. H. Derso's private collection)

Long before the government's Sport Commission had included sports of PWDs among its activities, PWDs used to organize annual sports competitions by themselves. PWDs from the Hagere Tibeb Factory, the United Abilities Umbrella and Dry Cells Factories and the ENAD used to participate at these events. ENAD members had even gone as far as Adama, Diredawa and Jimma to participate in sport competitions.

ENAD Soccer players on 4 Tir 1998 E.C. (12 January 2006) at
The Abebe Bikela Stadium
(Photo: From ENAD)

One sport in which the deaf have been actively participating and holding competitions is football (soccer). Deaf are so active in football that to some, sport means football. Not only in competition, it is a favorite pass time.

As the ENAD does not have a playing field of its own, its footballers used to frequent an open field that was located near the Ghion Hotel. But, that field was taken over by the Hotel and developed as part of its park. Then the deaf footballers moved to an open field located at Abuare.

Deaf members of the ENAD
at the Addis Ababa Stadium in 2003

(Photo: ENAD's Birtat Magazine)

But, that was also taken over for housing development. For some time after that, the deaf footballers used an open field located near the Armed Forces Hospital. Then, following a request from the ENAD, the Addis Ababa University was kind enough to allow the deaf to use its football and Volley ball fields at Sidist Kilo during weekends for some years. This was a very convenient arrangement as the ENAD office is located near by. Currently, the deaf are using the grounds at Jan Meda.

The lack of a permanent location with adequate facilities is a big challenge to our sportsmen and women. It has been under very difficult conditions that they have been participating due to their love for the sport.

Athletics competitions are also favorites of many. Ethiopia being a country of many world famous runners, the deaf also are fond of athletics.

ENAD deaf women members participating
in a volleyball game at
the Addis Ababa University.
Date not exactly ascertained,
but the photo is from early 1970s (E.C.)

(Photo: T. H. Derso)

Deaf women members were also active participants in sports. They used to engage themselves in weekly volleyball games, running and jogging in addition to participating in indoor games. They were active participants in the annual competitions as well.

The ENAD had some notable fast women runners who won many medals at annual sports competitions.

Indoor games were also frequented a lot. At the ENAD Assembly Hall, deaf used to play table tennis, darts, draughts, chess. On Wednesdays and Fridays and during weekends, the ENAD hall used to be crowded with members who used to come to watch or compete.

ENAD women with Emmawayish holding a cup
she had been awarded for coming first
in table tennis competition.

(Photo: From ENAD's collection)

Not only were members competing with each other, but also we had some who competed against teams from other places at annually held competitions.

From all these, it can be said without too much exaggeration that the ENAD has done a lot, given its limited resources, for the developments of sports of the deaf in Ethiopia.

ENAD women athlets, Yebichayenesh Getahun, 1^st
and Tsehai Shenqutie, 2^nd in Jimma on
Miazia 1979 (April 1987) (Photo: From ENAD's collection.
Click on photo for a bigger image.)

ENAD crop of cups won by our galant members
during many sport meetings (Photo credit: Tekle Derso)

ENAD sports men and women in Jimma
(Photo credit: ENAD)
(Click on photo for a bigger image)