A small act of solidarity by an Eritrean runner in Germany has brought practical support to young athletes in Keren, where donated running shirts and shorts from a local German club were handed over to members of Athletik Keren.
Tesfe Fikreyesus, known in his local running circles as Fikrue, lives in Limburg and competes for TV Eschhofen. A familiar figure at races in the Limburg-Weilburg area, he has built a quiet bridge between German running clubs and athletes in his hometown region in Eritrea.
During recent visits to Eritrea, Fikreyesus has taken unused running clothing collected from clubs in Germany and delivered it to athletes who need proper sportswear. His latest trip included competition shirts and running shorts from LG Brechen, a running group in Hesse that no longer needed the kit.
For the young athletes in Keren, the gesture was more than symbolic. Functional running clothes can be expensive or difficult to access, especially for youth athletes trying to train regularly with limited resources. The donated kits were received with visible excitement by members of the local running group, according to the original report by Heinz Dankers of LG Brechen.
The athletes, mostly between their teenage years and late twenties, were described as deeply grateful for the support. Fikreyesus said the runners are always happy to receive sports clothing from Germany.
The story is also a reminder of how much Eritrea’s diaspora continues to contribute through personal networks, informal initiative and practical help. Not every form of support comes through large institutions. Sometimes it comes through one suitcase, one club connection and one person who remembers where he came from.
There was one practical challenge: luggage weight. Fikreyesus joked that he tries to avoid exceeding the airline baggage limit when carrying donated sportswear to Eritrea. It is a small problem, but one that says a great deal about the spirit behind the effort.
For LG Brechen, the unused kit found a second life. For the young runners in Keren, it became encouragement, recognition and a sign that their passion is seen beyond Eritrea’s borders.
Editor’s note: This story draws on a report by Heinz Dankers of LG Brechen and has been adapted for Mesob Journal’s international readership.
