Veteran Sports Journalist Kebede Beyene passed away

By Mamo Gebrehiwot

Addis Ababa (January 2, 2010) – Veteran sports journalist Kebede Beyene passed away last month after a brief illness, said his son Binyam “Ben” Kebede,  of EthiopiaFirst.com.  He was 64-year-old.

I met Gash Kebede while working for the Ethiopian Herald sports page (1978-1980). Being a novice for the trade, I used to go to his office on many occasions seeking his advice. He always greeted me with his usual smile on his face, giving me his undivided attention and listening to my questions. Gash Kebede was a very devoted and honest journalist. The last time I saw him was in the summer of 2004 when I went to his office at the Ethiopian Olympic Committee, where he was volunteering. I surely miss him.

His Career: (Ethiopian calendar)

1970- 1973: Yezareytu Ethiopia – Sports Reporter

1973-1979: Yezareytu Ethiopia – Sports Editor

1979-1984: Addis Zemen – Night Editor

1984-1988: Admass – Columnist

1988-1993: Admass– Sports Editor

He retired in 1993 after serving the Ethiopian Press Agency for 23 years

You can read his obituary on Addis Zemen Newspaper (Amharic).