Four clubs in Houston, 1984

ESFNA is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization founded in 1984 to promote amateur soccer and cultural events within the Ethiopian community in North America. It holds a week-long soccer tournament every year. Using the tournament as a medium, the organization's highest aim is to bring Ethiopians together.

By virtue of its legal status, ESFNA is free of political, religious and ethnic affiliations. We have adhered to this position all along, because our focus is to promote sports and culture. Outside of the sports events, ESFNA has contributed to development and humanitarian efforts in Ethiopia.

ESFNA's growth has its roots in Ethiopians' migration to the United States and Canada — especially since the 1980s. There were already inter-state friendly competitions among Ethiopians on both coasts, but the federation itself was first envisioned by Ethiopians living in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

The founders wanted Ethiopians, then and in the future, to have something they could claim as their own for generations: a week-long occasion to come together, celebrate their culture and identity, and assure the continuity of their ideals.

It was a vision of a platform where Ethiopians could express their humanity through sports and cultural exchange — among themselves and with the wider North American community — and where the young would meet positive role models: famous Ethiopians who have done much for their country through sports, the arts and the humanities.

The first tournament was held in Houston on April 20, 1984, with four clubs: Washington D.C., Dallas, Houston and Atlanta. A year later it moved to Washington D.C., with more clubs taking part.

Over four decades ESFNA has become a cultural and sporting home for Ethiopians in North America. Every year, thousands of Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia spend one week in the host city, where hundreds of food and dry-goods vendors and non-profit organizations share a single venue.

A great deal happens around the tournament independently of ESFNA — which is exactly what the organization envisioned from its inception. Along the way, Ethiopians spend millions of dollars in the host city every year, a major contribution to the local economy.

In 2013 ESFNA celebrated its 30th anniversary in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. From four teams in 1984 it has grown to 32. More than 800 players and coaches take part in the tournament each year, and over 40 notable Ethiopians have been invited as Guests of Honor.