Yidnekachew Tessema

Yidnekachew Tessema (1921-1987) was one of the Ethiopia’s top sport’s journalists, covering Olympic Games, and World Cups and served his country in the capacities of secretary of the soccer and sport federation, president of national Olympics committee and commissioner of Sport federation.

Yidnekachew was born in Jimma on September 11, 1921, the son of the famous poet Tessema Eshete, the first Ethiopian to have his songs recorded on gramophone discs that made him the first modern court musicians. Yidenkachew’s interest in football begun at early age, and he started playing football at the age of eight.

He played for his school for five years, for the first Ethiopian soccer team, the St. George Club for 27 years. He played 27 times in international competitions representing his country. During the racially segregated footballing of the Italian occupation of Ethiopia, Yidnekachew translated the rules of soccer into Amharic language for the Native Sports Office. The year following the end of the occupation, Yidnekachew led the establishment of an official sports federation.

Yidnekachew was instrumental in founding member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in the late 1950s. He served CAF as the deputy president between 1964 and 1972 and as the President between 1972 and 1987. He was also member of the African Sport Congress, International Olympics Committee, FIFA and President of the African Olympics Committee.

Yidnekachew died on August 20, 1987 after a long illness.