Thousands gather in Ethiopian capital for World Cup opening ceremony

June 11, 2010 | Posted by ocean |

APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) Thousands of sport fans gather in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa to watch the opening ceremony of the World Cup with giant screens set up to broadcast all the matches.

The sport fans gathered at Meskel Square in Addis Ababa where the organizers had set up a big screen to enable Addis residents enjoy the World Cup, which opened in South Africa on Friday.

Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the opening goal of the 2010 World cup 300x203 Thousands gather in Ethiopian capital for World Cup opening ceremony

Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the opening goal of the 2010 World cup (OMAR TORRES/AFP/Getty Images)

“I am happy to be here and see the opening ceremony of the World Cup. It gives me a great pleasure to see the ceremony with such big gathering,” Tariku Mola, a sports fan at the Meskel Square told APA.

Ethiopian television promised to broadcast live the 32 matches via big screens set up in other major towns of the country.

Accordingly, residents of the towns of Mekelle, Nazareth, Bahirdar and Hawassa will be able to watch the matches on big screens in the respected towns of the country.

Though Ethiopia is not participating in the World Cup, the mood in the country, especially in Addis Ababa, is quite exciting.

“For me, Meskel square is the little South Africa. I am proud to see the World Cup organized on African soil,” Meles Bekele another sports fan at the Meskel square told APA.

Many Addis residents will for the next 30 days spend their time at Meskel Square to enjoy Africa’s World Cup.

Addis Ababa, home to around five million people is the seat of the African Union (AU) Commission and many international organizations, which is also being regarded as the capital city of Africa.

Source: APA