ASMARA

Eritrea showed their determination and sophistication by hosting a successful Council of East and Central Africa Football Association (Cecafa) Under 20 Championship in Asmara.

The United Nations (UN), with keen interest in this horn of Africa nation, supported and watched happily as the tiny country of five million people hosted a hugely successful regional event in the Council’s history.

Nine countries including Eritrea’s long time ally, Yemen, from the Middle East attended the two-week championship, which stretched from 14th-28th August and drew large crowds never seen before in the history of Eritrea. Eritrea was in party mood days before the kick-off, and celebrated each time their team conquered their opponents.

A well co-ordinated and colourful opening ceremony greeted the visiting delegations on August 14th at the famous Asmara Stadium and Eritrea’s opening victory over Tanzania set the stage for a well-contested and thrilling tournament.

Cecafa delegations and participating teams were hosted in five star hotels and all the necessary facilities were thrown at their disposal.

The chairman of LOC Tesfaye Gebreyesus said in Asmara yesterday that Eritrea has proved that they can do things, the big nations cannot do.

‘’In our small ways, we have proved a point by successfully hosting Cecafa competition. It is not easy to stage a nine nation competition.The logistics and general organisation is massive. But with the support of the Government we managed to put up a very good and co-ordinated championship."

It will be difficult to estimate the fortune spent by Eritrea in hosting the nine countries given that a special Charter flight was hired by the Government of Eritrea and delivered to Cecafa Secretariat to ensure that all the teams reached Asmara and returned to their countries after the competition. (The Standard)