How ESFNA Mismanaged its $700,000? : Mohammed Al Amoudi

How ESFNA Mismanaged its $700,000?

Posted by ecadforumArticles, Ethiopia-newsWednesday, February 9th, 2011

By Better Sinzeros

The Ethiopian Sport Federation in North America (ESFNA) is having severe financial problems. As a result, it may have great difficulties organizing its 2012 tournaments unless it receives a significant capital infusion from its owner, Sheikh Mohammed Al Amoudi, and its July 2011 event in Atlanta, Georgia is highly successful.

Most believe that the organization financial problems are caused by various reasons, including its resources have never been managed by capable leadership, its events of the last three years were not profitable, and its money have been embezzled by its leadership. For instance, according to one of the emails the ESFNA Public Relations Officer, Fassile Abebe, exchanged:

“I’m also amused by the sudden concern of our financial situation by the Finance Committee. The truth is, the former president and the group with 140 years of experience were the custodians of the over $700,000 we received from the generous Sheik and one would be forced to ask did we really get the optimal leadership and used this large cash infusion appropriately. LA3 that hosted the 2006 tournament has numerous documented financial misdeeds that we can bring to the table if its needed. Again the question that begs an answer is why the financial concern now and not then? “

As we have stated our concerns in our last few articles, we are deeply troubled by the behaviors of the Public Relations Officer. We are also worried about his efforts to cover up the misdeeds of the organization current and past leadership. Consequently, we appeal to the organization Finance Committee to share its finding about the finances of the organization with the Diaspora immediately. Once again, we also demand the Finance Committee to release its findings about the reasons why the former Finance Chair, Abework Abay, resigned. If the Finance Committee opts not to share its findings about the financial situations of the organization and the causes of the former Finance Chair resignation, we will release the “Finance Committee Official Assessment regarding Finance Chair Abework Abay’s Resignation and the current state of the Federation” in the first two weeks of March 2011.

The writers can be reached at bsinzeros@gmail.com