Biherawi Sporting Club: Difference between revisions
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[[File:biherawi-youth.png|350px|thumb|Biherawi Youth in Oromia]]The club has a youth academy located in [[Oromia]], called Gibi Training Complex, Gibi in ahmaric is "The Courtyard", a place located in outskirts of Abbis Adada, The ''Gibi'' is the informal name of the youth club and the training centre. | [[File:biherawi-youth.png|350px|thumb|Biherawi Youth in Oromia]]The club has a youth academy located in [[Oromia]], called Gibi Training Complex, Gibi in ahmaric is "The Courtyard", a place located in outskirts of Abbis Adada, The ''Gibi'' is the informal name of the youth club and the training centre. | ||
The Biherawi youth club is focused on developing young players from across the country, focusing its efforts in Addis Ababa, Amshara, Somali and Oromia. So far, it has provided many players and nurtured the first team in the development of the team at the national and regional levels. The recruitment area for young footballers expands throughout the country through a wide network of scouts working for BSC. The club's technical secretariat also attends numerous important international tournaments each year to scout and monitor the best prospects in the country. | The Biherawi youth club is focused on developing young players from across the country, focusing its efforts in Addis Ababa, Amshara, Somali and Oromia. So far, it has provided many players and nurtured the first team in the development of the team at the national and regional levels. The recruitment area for young footballers expands throughout the country through a wide network of scouts working for BSC. The club's technical secretariat also attends numerous important international tournaments each year to scout and monitor the best prospects in the country. The academy, built at a cost of over 60 million ETB, lies on 24,000 hectares of land and is expected to accommodate over 100 youth players at one time. The facilities at the academy include: two football pitches, a cafeteria, a conference center, a game room, dressing rooms,a modern medical center, a gym, and dormitories. The club has an Under 19 (U19) football team. | ||
In addition, with the collaboration of other sister clubs such as FC Bizancio, it has managed to perfect its recruitment and training of players. | In addition, with the collaboration of other sister clubs such as [[FC Bizancio]], it has managed to perfect its recruitment and training of players. | ||
Revision as of 01:10, 20 February 2026
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| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Full Name: | Biherawi Sporting Club |
| Short Name: | Biherawu SC • BSC |
| Nickanmes: | የሀገር አንበሶች (The Lions of the Nation) ብሄራዊ (The National) ወርቃማው አንበሶች (The Golden Lions) |
| Foundation: | February 9, 2026; |
| Location: | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Chairman: |  George Doukas
|
| Head Coach: |  Thomas Mamo Lencha
|
| Mánager: | Samson Gebreab Gebremedhin
|
| Facilities | |
| Stadium | Medrek Biherawi |
| Location: | Yohanes Street 0401. Addis Ababa |
| Capacity: | 12.000 |
| Other Complex | Gibi Training Ground |
| Shirt | |
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Biherawi Sporting Club (Amharic: ብሔራዊ የስፖርት ክለብ) commonly known as Biherawi, which in English means The National, is an Ethiopian hattrick football club based in Addis Adaba, Ethiopia. The club is mainly known for its football team which currently plays in the Ethiopian League system, currently in III. division.
Founded by Tesfaye Bekele, Ato Girma Tadesse, Dawit Gebremariam and Alemu Kebede in 2026, the club was founded to be a pioneer of African football in Hattrick and to compete in the Ethiopian football system.
The club plays in Medrek Biherawi, a 12.000 capacity stadium located in Addis Ababa
History
Establishment and start of the club
The idea of establishing Biherawi came in the end of 2025 and was firstly raised by Tesfaye Bekele, who was a student in the Ethiopian Law School during his presidency of the High School Students Club. The establishment of a club for high school students was for political reasons along with the students needing a sports club for them to gather for leisure and exercise.
He discussed the idea of establishing the club with a group of friends who were enthusiastic about it and in 2026, Biherawi was established
The club was first headed by George Doukas, who was a greek advisor of Bekele. He was the first head to facilitate financial support for the club. An official meeting of the club's board was held on 8 february 2026. The committee met at 5:30 pm in the house of Doukas in Jinma under his chairmanship and the membership of Tesfaye Bekele, Ato Girma Tadesse,Dawit Gebremariam, Alemu Kebede and Berhanu Getachew as secretary, Doukas with contacts in Greece and South America contacted BezantCo to provide the necessary logistical support for the construction of the club and to register in the III division of Ethiopia
After the establishment of the club was approved, the main building was designed by architect Dawit Zeleka, and revised by Doukas. A civil company on the behalf of Biherawi Sporting Club was established. Shares of the company were worth ETB 5 each, and it was the goal of the club when it was established to raise US$ 295,000. Only US$ 3.195 were collected over a year which was not enough to fund the establishment. This forced the club to borrow US$ 280.000 from the National Bank of Ethiopia in December 2025. Eyob Tekalign, the president of the Bank of Ethiopia, contributed US$ 50.000 to the establishment of the club.
The club quickly became known for its modern infrastructure, youth academy programs across multiple cities (Abbis Adada, Amshara, Somali), and emphasis on community development Thanks to the greek support in the city, all the infrastructure and energy of Doukas with greek sponsors, to form its own community based on national development.
The first official football team was established in a friendly in Kazakhstan, the team was formed by some local players and the arrival of some players like Basile Pooda, Gaspar Ramalhete and Nijel Saleshando and later the club was registered in the III. division of the season 21 of the Ethiopian League System.
The first official hattrick league match was against Bejby Oaks, with a win 2-0 with goals of Dinaw Andom and the congolese Muzinga Mumpasi
Supporters
Main article: Ye-Biher Hizb
Biherawi has a large fanbase of ultras named Ultras Ye-Biher Hizb (abbreviated YBH) translated The Wall of the Nation in english. YBH raised its banner for the first time at a match against Bejby Oaks on 2026, during the club's first friendly matches in Bishoftu, a group of students from different regions began to meet with a clear idea: "This club won't belong to one city. It will belong to Ethiopia", tis is what gave the supporters a distinctive character from the beginning, a multiregional and not ethnic club, Over time, they organized themselves into groups, Their motto is "Together Forever", which is meant to highlight the connection between their members.
Other groups are called Ambassa Guard or Ye-Anbessa Zebegna and Black Banner 26
Anthem
The Anthem of the club is Andinet Betam in english Unity Above All written by Kewodros Kassahun and composed by Dawit Hailemariam, The anthem draws direct inspiration from Ethiopian sources, traditional songs of collective celebration, historical marches and community rituals and kebaro percussion rhythms, typical of religious and festive ceremonies, The lyrics of the anthem are as follows:
Biharawi! Biharawi!
Anbessa ye-bihér!
Black and gold, our glory,
Andinet betam!
Grounds
The club was founded by local students and investors supported by foreign businessmen; its first stadium was called Medrek Biherawi. or "The Platform" in Amharic. its located in Addis Ababa in Yohanes Street 0401, the stadium is a capacity of 12.000, with light stands and basic amenities while the club settles into the league
Kits and Crests
The club Crest was designed by George Doukas with the board inspired in the old Kingdom of Abbysinia in January 2026. The Biherawi Sporting Club crest adopts a modern heraldic design, in the shape of a traditional shield with rounded edges and a pointed tip, characteristic of institutional and nationally representative clubs. Its main structure is marked by a double outline in gold and black tones, reinforcing the prestigious and solemn identity associated with the club.
At the top, a horizontal stripe displays the colors green, yellow, and red, inspired by the Ethiopian national flag, symbolizing the unity of the country and the inclusive nature of the institution. Above the upper point of the shield is an ornament inspired by traditional Ethiopian iconography, resembling a stylized cross, representing cultural heritage and historical identity.
In the center of the shield stands a crowned golden lion, an emblematic figure associated with power, nobility, and strength, holding a spear or banner accompanied by a national flag. This symbol alludes to Ethiopian historical tradition and the club's ideal as a representative of national pride. The crown above the lion emphasizes the authority and sporting leadership to which the institution aspires.
In the upper inner section is a red band with the official name “BIHERAWI SC” in white letters, highlighting the club's name with high visibility. At the bottom is an inscription in Ge'ez/Amazonian script, accompanied by the year 2026, corresponding to the club's founding.
The crest as a whole combines national and cultural elements with a contemporary style, reflecting Biherawi SC's mission as a club with a unifying identity and international reach.
The Kit colours are the Black, White, and gold, representing Ethiopia and Africa as a whole.
Players
As of 16 February 2026
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Coaching staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Thomas Mamo Lencha
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| Assistant head coach | Alex Assefa Henok Eyasu Holewo
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| Goalkeeper coach | Mulatu Arfecho
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| Fitness coach | Zeray Sasamo
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| Analyst | Adhanom Chekol Addisu Seretse
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| Head of medical services | Melaku Taye Adogme
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| Nurse | Aviva Abebe Yaakov Aster Tsegaye
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| Physiotherapist | Elias Haroyu Tesfa Gebremariyam
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| Sports therapist | Tafesse Solomon
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| Match delegate | Chala Teshita
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| Equipment manager | Redwan Nassir Henok Yohanes Mesafent Pawlos
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| Director of football | Samson Gebreab Gebremedhin
|
Ownership
The current club president is George Doukas, a greek businessman linked with BezantCo and elected for the founding board in 2026., the club is administred by a system of three capes: the Founding Council (project guardians), Executive Council (day-to-day governance) and Transparency Commission (internal audit)
The Board of the Biherawi Sporting Club is composed of the following directors:
- President: George Doukas
- Vice-president: Yonas Abebe
- Secretary: Mikiyas Wolde
- Vice-Secretary: Dawit Mekonnen
- Treasurer: Samuel Fikru
- Accountant: Yohannes Mulugeta
- Board members: Berhanu Getachew, Rahel Tesfaye, Henok Assefa, Kebede Worku, Tewodros Kassahun, Dawit Gebremariam, Alemu Kebede, Hana Gebre, Girma Tadesse, Dawit Zeleka, Eyob Tekalign.
- Managing Director: Sunday Gebrekristos
- General Secretary: Dagmawe Getnet
- Sporting Director: Samson Gebreab Gebremedhin
Philosophy and Identity
Biherawi Sporting Club has adopted an institutional eligibility policy known as the “Biherawi Model,” based on the exclusive registration of footballers of African origin or with verifiable African ancestry. This measure has been part of the club's founding identity since 2026 and constitutes one of the central pillars of its sporting project.
The philosophy was officially announced by the board at the time of the consolidation of the sporting project, as part of the vision to position Biherawi SC as a club with a continental identity. According to the official statement, the main objective is to prioritize the development of African talent and reduce structural dependence on external markets.
The model has been compared in various analyses to identity policies adopted by other historic clubs in world football, although adapted to the African context and on a continental scale.
The implementation of this philosophy is closely linked to the club's development program. The Gibi Academy is the cornerstone of this model, with youth recruitment programs in various regions and an emphasis on the technical, physical, and educational development of the players. The club maintains that this policy does not seek competitive isolation, but rather to strengthen sporting self-sufficiency and consolidate its own development system that allows it to compete nationally and internationally with a base of African talent. Since its implementation, the policy has been interpreted as a declaration of institutional identity and a positioning strategy. The board has defended the model as a commitment to continental pride and the sustainable development of African football. The debate surrounding this philosophy has generated discussions about identity, globalization, and recruitment models in contemporary football, positioning Biherawi SC as one of the clubs with the most clearly defined player eligibility policy.
Eligibility Criteria
According to the club's internal regulations, the following may represent Biherawi SC:
- Players born in any country on the African continent.
- Players born outside of Africa with direct African ancestry.
- Players trained at African academies recognized by the club.
The policy applies to both the first team and the youth categories, although the institutional priority is focused on internal development through the Gibi academy.
Academy
The club has a youth academy located in Oromia, called Gibi Training Complex, Gibi in ahmaric is "The Courtyard", a place located in outskirts of Abbis Adada, The Gibi is the informal name of the youth club and the training centre.
The Biherawi youth club is focused on developing young players from across the country, focusing its efforts in Addis Ababa, Amshara, Somali and Oromia. So far, it has provided many players and nurtured the first team in the development of the team at the national and regional levels. The recruitment area for young footballers expands throughout the country through a wide network of scouts working for BSC. The club's technical secretariat also attends numerous important international tournaments each year to scout and monitor the best prospects in the country. The academy, built at a cost of over 60 million ETB, lies on 24,000 hectares of land and is expected to accommodate over 100 youth players at one time. The facilities at the academy include: two football pitches, a cafeteria, a conference center, a game room, dressing rooms,a modern medical center, a gym, and dormitories. The club has an Under 19 (U19) football team.
In addition, with the collaboration of other sister clubs such as FC Bizancio, it has managed to perfect its recruitment and training of players.
