Addis Ababa Dec 22/ (ENA)--Ethiopians should also demonstrate the victories achieved in the sports field to accelerate economic development and social progress in the country, president Girma Wolde Giorgis said on Friday.

In an exclusive interview with ENA the president said the various victories achieved in sports could also be used as a catalyst to mobilize the Ethiopian people to take active participation in the nation building process.

He said Ethiopians should fasten their belts and grit their teeth to extricate the country from the biting poverty.

The physical strength and stamina gained through the exercise of sport activities could play a pivotal role in the national efforts launched to fight poverty and backwardness, Girma said.

The government and the peoples of Ethiopia are happy that the national squad has qualified to the 29th East and Central Africa championships by defeating Kenya 1-0, he said.

He said the present generation should work hard to enable the nation to assume its historic place in the African soccer that it lost for decades.

The national teams of Ethiopia and Kenya will meet for the trophy.

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