BY AHMED MOHAMMED
Mechal Sport Club, which pioneered the concept of not only football but also other sporting activities in Ethiopia, such as athletics, is celebrating its 8oth year anniversary.
Records of history have it that Mechal was organized in 1943, first it was named as Mekelakeya, which means “the army” in Amharic. Mecahal, as chronicled, was formed by soldiers who made history in the fight against the Italian invasion.
Throughout its long history, the team changed its name one after the other several times, from War Team (Mechal) to Army Team (Mekelakeya) to Mechal Sport Club.
The club won the Ethiopian championship for the first time in 1948 its dramatic field performance earned it accolades as it superbly defeated Saint George, its local competitor. It kept its fame winning four consecutive seasons’ tournaments between 1948 and 1951.
Mechal Sport Club took part in various international competitions, such as the African Cup of Champion Clubs, the CAF Confederation Cup, and the CAF Cup Winners’ Cup. The team represented the country with pride and honor, and even braved some of the best teams in Africa and beyond.
Many Ethiopian national team footballers had been picked from this prestigious club such as Yidnekachew Tessema, who was the captain of the team and the national team, and later became the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for 16 years.
It also was home to legendary athletes who raised the Ethiopian flag in international arenas, and is now making its way to reclaim its old glory and fame.