In Ethiopia, athletes are more often associated with the graceful, wiry figures of the nation's long-distance running legends than with the heavyweights of international rugby.
But the enthusiasm generated by the rugby World Cup in France looks set to allow the sport to take root in unlikely places, even in the only African country never colonized by Britain, France or any other European power.
Out of the 35 players who gather each week in Addis Ababa, coach Fabrice Houpeaux's squad boasts plenty of pacey wingers but suffers from an obvious dearth of beefy forwards and muscular centers.
"It's a very demanding sport, it needs a lot of time spent in the gym to improve stature," admits Chris Gabresi, a teenager from the Ethiopian capital who likes to play on the wing. "For us Ethiopians, the idea of playing professional rugby at the moment is just out of the question."
The sport is starting from scratch in Ethiopia. It has yet to have its own pitch with posts and is up against the phenomenal popularity of the English and other European soccer leagues.
"The only way to improve the status of rugby in the country is to make children play and have sufficient instructors," said Houpeaux, who coaches Ethiopia's only club alongside a New Zealander and another Frenchman.
Blanket coverage by the South African satellite network received in Ethiopia has spurred unprecedented interest for rugby in the Horn of Africa nation.
As a growing number of spectators are gathering in the stands to watch training sessions, newcomers have shown interest in joining the club and the players expect their ranks to swell as the World Cup reaches its climax.
"The whole atmosphere is friendly and encouraging, we are always dedicated when we arrive for our training sessions," 16-year-old Selam Nadew said.
"We will probably have more players next time but they have to be committed as well," Chris Gabresi added.
Balls, kits and other equipment have been provided by France as part of an initiative called Rendez-Vous 2007 launched in the run-up to the World Cup which also sent two Ethiopians players to France to watch the games.
The coaching staff hopes the World Cup and a bit of help from major rugby nations will take the sport to a new level.
"Setting up a federation is another major step because a body is needed to overlook from the top," Houpeaux said.
"It's just a start," he said, while keeping an eye on the TV screen showing the latest World Cup game. "I've been here for two years and our students have shown a lot of improvement."
Houpeaux and his colleagues are already busy inviting teams from more established rugby nations such as Kenya and Dubai and predicts a federation would bring Ethiopia into the oval world.
"With all this achieved, there is no reason not to see Ethiopia competing in regional tournaments in just a decade," he said.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care