The Ethiopian Sports Federation in North America (ESFNA) is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization founded in 1984 to promote amateur soccer and cultural events within the Ethiopian community in the North America. Its goals include providing positive role models for the youth, promoting goodwill between the Ethiopian communities in North America and creating a bridge where people from Ethiopia and North America can interact in a mutually beneficial manner. In addition to the sports event, the Federation also promotes cultural activities to provide opportunities for Americans to learn more about Ethiopia’s culture and history.

Visionary Ethiopians residing in the city of Houston conceived the Ethiopian Sports Federation in North America during the early days of the 1980s. The first tournament was held in the city of Houston with the participation of four clubs (Washington DC, Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta) on April 20, 1984. A year later, the tournament was held in Washington D.C. with more clubs added to the family of ESFNA, and it was at this time elected officers assumed the responsibility of managing the Federation under a new format. A lot has changed since that time, perhaps the most significant of all was the adoption of operating by-laws, rules and regulation of the games and the establishment of a tax-exempt status.

Due to an increasing number of new teams that want to join ESFNA, an extensive study is underway to identify ways to accommodate new members since time and logistic considerations have placed constraints on the number of games that can be played during the one-week annual soccer tournament. At some point, there were teams from England and Sweden who were participating actively in ESFNA.

Over the past several years, ESFNA has become a cultural and sports center for Ethiopians in North America. Every year more than twenty thousand Ethiopians and American friends spend one week in the host city by taking part in the sports and cultural events organized for their enjoyment. In the process, they spend millions of dollars every year in the host city, making a major contribution to the local economy. In the very near future, ESFNA is planning to bring more and a variety of programs to its supporters by partnering with major corporations and non-profit organizations.

ESFNA, by virtue of its status is non-political and non-religious. We have adhered to this position all along because we are legally expected to take such a stance. Outside of the sports events, our contribution has been in connecting lost friends and relatives, networking and providing a medium for people to appreciate Ethiopian culture and heritage and taking initiatives to be part of development and humanitarian efforts in Ethiopia. In addition, it should be clear to all that ESFNA creates the environment for all to participate in business, religious and other activities outside of our events.