These are some of the questions that have become topics of public discussion and which the government is expected to address immediately. So  why is nothing being done to tackle the endless problems besetting the Federation?

The stated mission of the EFF is to develop Ethiopian football and to make Ethiopian football competitive at both the national and international level. The reality however leaves a lot to be desired. The Federation has become a place where intrigue, infighting, conniving etc reign supreme over accomplishing its mission; it has become incapable of becoming what a football federation should be.

The Federation, leave alone developing and taking Ethiopian football a step forward, is dragging it backwards and hastening its demise. Why? The answer is simple! Because it is "owned" by few individuals. The persons at its helm care more about their personal reputation, glory and interest; they are unconcerned about the fate of Ethiopian football. They would not hesitate to cripple the Federation if it does not serve their interest!

Nepotism plays a key role in staffing the Federation's secretariat. There is a deep running tension between various factions in the Federation. It is peopled by dictators on the one hand and irresponsible employees who submit to their dictatorial rule. Personal interest takes precedence over the national interest in the Federation.

Government inaction despite concrete reports exposing the wrong doings in the Federation has emboldened its leaders so much so that they are taking it down the path of downfall with impugnity.

Members of the Federation's executive committee are getting fewer by the day. Last week, two such members quit the Federation. The Federation hence has gradually become an organization that is "owned" by few individuals with vested interests. It has been "tailored" to fit the size of these persons and them only. This sad state of affairs is a sign that the final nail is being hammered in the Federation's coffin.

Our purpose here is not to grade members of the executive committee and declare that Mr. So and So is more competent than Mr. So and So or to argue had someone else been put in charge the Federation would have been run better. What we would like to say is that any official of the Federation, including the president, should be removed from their posts if they have done nothing in the interest of the public and the nation. The Federation should be re-established anew; its operation needs to be governed by the necessary procedures and to be regularly monitored so that there is strict accountability and it responds timely to stakeholders' demands.

We are saying Ethiopia's football needs an injection of a new blood, a new thinking and a new love for one's country. Let's stat with a clean slate. It is high time that the government attaches particular importance to the matter.

One may ask: Why all this fuss about football? Is it really necessary to write an editorial on football? The answer is a definite "Yes!" Why? Because it is an agenda of 80 million Ethiopians, because it is a forum through which we create and see love, tolerance, understanding and a healthy society.

Ethiopia is fast disappearing from the global and continental football map. African countries which did not have either a football federation or football club when Ethiopia won the third African Cup of Nations have now left Ethiopia far behind and are taking part in African and international competitions. Sadly, Ethiopia does not feature in any competition of importance.

Consequently, the football loving public of Ethiopia has been forced to become an avid follower of the popular English, Spanish, Italian etc. leagues. It is not bad by itself to be a fan of and support foreign clubs. But it is a cause for concern when this comes about as a result of the appalling state of the local football and clubs.

The Ethiopian Football federation has been unable to create vibrant clubs which play an attractive football. The only thing which it seems capable of is disrupting a game which entails the elimination of the national side from a competition and then giving reassurances that the game will be played again. Due to the plummeting standards of Ethiopian football and the Federation's violation of the rules of the game, Ethiopia's reputation on the football scene has been severely damaged.

In short, the existing Federation should be immediately dissolved and be replaced with a new federation headed by a dynamic and visionary leadership. The government has a role to play in this process. Sport plays a vital role not only in the development of the mind and body; it also has a positive impact on a country's economy. It helps create healthy and productive citizens. So it is incumbent on the government to turn the Federation from an institution which does not deliver and is serving as a vehicle for the attainment of the desires of few individuals into an organization which is effective and serves the public and the country. The sooner the better!