Chapter Five

5. ‘Gena’ /Ethiopian Hockey/: A Cultural Game

5.1 History of Gena cultural sport
According to legends, the time at which when Gena was started in Ethiopia is not exactly known.
But it was played before the birth of Christ. Our forefathers said that shepherds used to play the
game in connection with Christ Mass Holiday from December to January up to the beginning of
the rainy season.

Mostly Gena is played after farmers collected their harvest in a flat field in the afternoon until
the time the sunsets.

First two team leaders will be appointed and a pair of players will secretly give a different secret
name themselves and they will tell this secret name to the appointed team leaders and the leaders
will select the players with that given secret name. The players will form a team in that way only
if the two teams are from the same villages and/or ‘Kebeles’.

The game will be a high competition between two monasteries, areas such as the upper village
and the lower, between ‘kebeles’ and those married and single. But the game has no limit of the
number of players in the old times by which a player comes in and comes of the playing field.
On the other hand, in some instances when a player is not able to continue the game due to
injuries team leaders or referees will be informed and another player may then be allowed to the
game as a substitute.

Players use a stick which has a curved part on its edge to kick, to roll and shoot the ‘Rur’ (a
small ball like object used in ‘Gena’ cultural game). Players dress a short trouser that comes
above their knee, a cloth which goes round their waist named «Dig» when they play.

In some areas when the game is held, team leaders will be accompanied with four border
defenders .The end of the game will then be either in a goal score or a point.

The game of ‘Gena’ had been played in different forms. For example:-

A. as a form of ‘qurquz’ (the form of a game played by shooting everything including the bodies
of opponents)

B. ‘Mucch’ (This form of the game is played by sweeping the ‘Rur’)

C. Shooting after controlling the ‘Rur’ with a hand

D. Shooting by fully picking the ‘Rur’ from the surface.

These different game forms will be played in the following circumstances

1. When there were special holidays they usually play the Shooting by fully picking the
‘Rur’ from the surface.
2. When people celebrate the rule of law they demonstrate with playing the game through
Shooting after controlling the ‘Rur’ with a hand.
3. ‘Mucch’ will be played if the players agree to play by sweeping the ball including their
legs
4. ‘Qurquz’ on the other hand follows rules and it is played by rolling the ball like object of
the game called ‘Rur’.
The following is a common proverb to show that the game is a game for all. This is the
proverb. “There is no master and servant in the game of ‘Gena’ and master will not be
anger on the game of ‘Gena’”. Players will not show revenge and create danger to their
opponents.
As the game shows progress the play ground is limited to have a length of 300 meter and
a width of 200 meter. The goal (culturally named ‘Lew’) will be recorded as a score when
it passes the specified border.
The game of ‘gena’ is expanded and widely played in the regime of Emperor Minilik.
Studies disclose that adults used to sing and dance after the game walking through
different areas.
‘Gena’ at the moment becomes the most loved game in the world and became one of the
Olympic Games.

5.2 Meaning
The game of ‘Gena’ contains 1 goal keeper and 9 players in the field having a total of 10 players.
The game of ‘Gena’ is all about scoring the ‘Rur’ which is made of plastic/stick/ or defending
the object from entering their goals. Players kick, pass the ‘Rur’ to each other and roll and score
it to the goal.
Rule one the playing ground/field/
Article 1: The size and content of the playing field
1.1 The length of the field of ‘Gena’ playing ground is 90-100 meter and its width is from 45
to 50 meter. The field should be prepared through a smooth level that could easily enable
the ‘Rur’ to roll without difficulty on the ground.

Article 2: The determinant lines of the field

2.1 The playing field should be prepared three meters away from areas that are dangerous in
a visible area. The sides of the field are categorized as side-lines and back lines.
2.2 There should at least be a two meter space between the lines of the field and spectators.
2.3 In order to easily see the limits of the lines of the playing field a flag at each corner
having a length of 40 CM and a width of 25 CM are placed as an identifying and limiting
lines of the playing ground.

Article 3: Lines of the playing field

3.1 The lines of the playing field will be visibly bordered with gypsum having a width of 5
CM on the playing ground. And the lines will be part of the playing field.

Article 4: Areas of the Stopper/Goalkeeper/ of the game

4.1 The area of the goalkeeper has two stands on the right and on the left which is far away
from 1-50 meter. It is prepared in the form of a square having 6 meter.

Article 5: an area of a goal kick

5.1 The area of a goal kick is located in the goal area in a line that connects the side and the
front lines of the goal area and the area inside the square of the goal area.

Article 6: Penalty area

6.1 Penalty area is located 6 meters away to the playing field from the side angles of the goal
area. It is prepared 10 meter to the playing field from the goal area in a rectangular form.

Article 7: Penalty kick spot (penalty shoot point)

7.1 The point for a penalty kick is located 9 meters away from the center of the goal line.

Article 8: The Arc of a penalty area.

8.1 The Arc of a penalty area is formed at a 4 meter radius from the point of a penalty kick.

Article 9: the mid-line of a field

9.1 The mid-line (mid-field) of a playing ground divides the field in to two parts from its
length. It is a line that divides the playing field in to two.

9.2 The field of one team is the area from its goal to the mid-line (mid-field line of the field).

Article 10: ‘qurquz’ Area

(In this area people are allowed to shoot everything including the bodies of opponents). It
is the circular area in the middle of the field which the game starts with the captains of
the two teams.
10.1 This area is located at a 4 meter radius in the circle in the middle of the field

10.2 ‘Qurquz’ is used after a goal is scored to start the game by the Capitan’s (Team leaders of
the two teams). This is a place where the game starts and restarts after a goal (‘Lew’) is
scored.

Article 11 Corner kick areas

11.1 It is the line that connects the lines of the goal area and the sidelines. It is marked on a 1
meter circular quarter on the connection point.

Article 12 the goal of ‘Gena’ cultural game

12.1 The goal of ‘Gena’ is prepared from smooth or short metals that will come together
having a side length of 3 meter and 1 meter high.

12.2 The metal bars of the goal have a circular area of not more than 15 CM and not less than
10 CM.

12.3 The goal has a net which is prepared from garments. And the net is fixed with a sideline
bar 50 cm away from the goal bars.

12.4 The goal is located at the middle of the back side lines of the playing field.

Figure 1: The Goal

A C

Keys:-
 A=3M
 B = 1M
 C = 50 cm

Article 13: the place where the corner flags are placed
13.1 Corner flag will be placed in all four corners of the playing field
 13.2 The flag will be placed on 1 meter length stick at its top with 40x25cm garment.

Article 14: Technical area

14.1 Technical area is prepared parallel to half of the field 10 meters behind in the upper and
left-right areas at 3 meters distance.

14.2 Only team leaders, coaches, massaging professionals and substitutes are allowed to sit in
this area.

Figure 2: Gena playing Field

I
D
K
M
II
A
FE H C

EF
J K

Keys

A = 45 - 50 C = 3 M E=6M G = 1 M I=4M K=
M Radius
B = 90 – 100 D = 1M F=6M H = 15 M J = 1.5 M L=
M
Figure 3: The stick of gena
E
 C
F
Keys

A A= 1 m
D
 B= < 25 cm
 C= <10 cm
D = 1M

B
E = 40 cm
F = 25 cm

Rule two Materials used during competition

Article 15: The Playing stick of the game of ‘Gena’

15.1 The playing stick that is used to play ‘Gena’ has 1 meter length and has an arc at the
lower tip. The arc has a width not more than 25cm and has a maximum of 10cm
thickness. Its weight is 500 to 550gm. The stick of ‘Gena’ cultural game can be prepared
from wood, bamboo or plastic.
Article 16: The Playing “ball” of the game of ‘Gena’
16.1 ‘Rur’ (an object used like a ball in the game of ‘Gena’) could be prepared from plastic or
related objects in a circular form visibly. It has a weight of 100gm and a circular area of
about 25-30 cm.

Rule Three Players

Article 17 the number of players
17.1 One team will have to register only 15 players of which 5 are substitutes and only 10
players of a team are allowed to play the game in the field at a time.
17.2 One of the ten players of a team is a Goalkeeper
17.3 And one of the players will be the captain of a team
17.4 The captain is the man in charge to report to the referee when the ‘Rur’ is off lines.
17.5 The captain is also the man in charge to direct players to play with fair play, sport Ethics
and sport discipline.
17.6 The captain will put an identifying symbol on his hand to be easily identified from the
rest of the players.
17.7 The smallest possible number of players allowed in the game of ‘Gena’ is 7/seven/

Article 18 Substitutes

18.1 One team will register 5 substitutes and can replace them either one by one or all of them
at once

18.2 substitutions are allowed following the report of the coach to the referee who registers
goal scores and this referee will give sign to the main referee in the field for the entry
allowance. The substitute player will come in the field after the other player leaves.

18.3 A player who is substituted once is not allowed to come again in the field.

18.4 All players could be replaced with the 5 substitute players except with the one penalized
with a red card.

18.5 All players who are valid according to the referees could join the team and play the game
until the maximum numbers of players reach 10.

Article 19 Dressing of the players

19.1 The dressing of the team should reflect the regions culture and it should be suitable for
the play
19.2 A team may register two different colors of sport wears
19.3 The sport wears of the team should not be identical. If the dressings accidentally become
similar, the host team is liable to change the sport wears. Where as if both the teams are
not in the locality of the tournament, first they will be allowed to change their sport
wears by agreement if not with a lottery chance.
19.4 A player could wear appropriate shoes or can play without shoes
19.5 Players wear a cover their forelegs to minimize leg injuries
19.6 The goal keeper will have an additional covers such as hand cover, leg and reproductive
organs cover to be safe from injuries.
19.7 A player of ‘Gena’ can dress up all the above sport wears but not allowed to wear cultural
and modern jewelries
19.8 A player of ‘Gena’ should be identified with a clear number on his front and back upper
body parts visible for the referees and spectators. The number on the players will be
written with 15cm length and 5 cm width.
Rule Four Referees

Article 20 Number of Referees

20.1 One main referee
20.2 Two assistant referees
20.3 One 4th referee
Article 21 Duties and responsibilities of the main referee
21.1 Manages and controls the game having the highest authority in the playing field
21.2 His decisions are ultimate in the field
21.3 Approves and disapproves goals
21.4 The main referee can cancel goals based on the rules of the game before the game
restarts.
21.5 He has a full right to give his own balanced decisions in cases of legal ambiguity and
absence.
21.6 He may reject and cancel the decisions of assistant referees when feels that their
decisions are incorrect.
21.7 He has also a right to exclude players, coaches and team leaders from the playing field
and area when feels that they are found to be violent and acting against the principle of
Fair Play.
21.8 Checks the appropriateness of players before the game and the exactness of the scores
after the game and lists discipline misconducts during the game.
21.9 He uses his whistle and symbol to express and direct players to start, stop, and to give
free kicks, corner kicks and penalties
21.10 The referee should come to the playing field 30 minutes before the start of the game
21.11 He waits 15 minutes if a team is absent and announces that the team present wins the
game
21.12 He can make various decisions on discipline misconduct starting from the dressing room
on players within 24 hour ranges of the game.
21.13 He also has a right to give penalizing cards if players leave the playing fields before the
referee leaves the area.

Article 22 Duties and Responsibilities of Assistant Coaches

22.1 Assistant coaches stand at the right and left sidelines of the field and shows their flag
when the ‘Rur’ comes out of the lines and shows the direction at which the game shall
continue.
22.2 Shows their flag when there is a substitute in accordance with the rule of the game
22.3 Gives full responses when asked by the main referee to give suggestions
22.4 They should come to the playing field before 30 minutes
22.5 The check the appropriateness of the goal areas and the playing fields
22.6 They will show to the main referee their flag when a ball is directed through the goal
sidelines by a defender as it is a corner kick or a goal kick
22.7 They will show to the main referee fouls and misconducts closer to them even if they are
not visible to the main referee.
22.8 They closely protect and supervise 4 meter areas.

Article 23 Duties and responsibilities of the 4th referee

23.1 Undertakes registration of players sitting 3 meters away from the half sidelines of the
field.
23.2 Registers goals when ratified by the main referee
23.3 Checks whether substitutes are registered before coming in to the field.
23.4 23.4 Identifies and registers with a special emphasis players penalized with yellow and
red cards.
23.5 Checks and rechecks his score list and the list of the main referee and facilitates all
referees to sign on the lists
23.6 At the time of emergency when the main referee is not able to continue in managing the
game and if there is no assistant referee who can replace him, the fourth referee will be
the man in charge to coordinate and continue the game.

Article 24 Symbols that referees use to communicate

24.1 Symbols used by the main referee
 24.1.1 When the ‘Rur’ comes above the knee of players the referee stretches his right hand
and whistles before the symbol
24.1.2 The referee shows the direction at which the Rur should be directed when it goes
out of the sidelines after the whistle
24.1.3 The referee whistles and shows a leg with his hand when a player stops the ‘Rur’
with his leg.
24.1.4 When the ‘Rur’ becomes a goal, the referee turns his face and raises his two hands
to the starting mid-point (‘qurquz’ point) to ratify the goal.
24.1.5 when it is a free kick the referee shows one of his hands to the point at which the
‘Rur’ should be kicked and his other hand to the direction at which the kick should
be directed.
24.1.6 He raises his hands after a whistle when there are fouls to show the direction at
which the free kick is given.
24.1.7 When there is a foul he shows either one of his hand to the direction of the kick or
he stand on the point at which the foul is made and shows one of his hands to show
the direction the ‘Rur’ should be kicked
24.1.8 When there is a corner kick he shows one of his hands to the corner.
24.1.9 When the ‘Rur’ goes out with the back sidelines of the field, he bends his two hands
and shows that it is either a corner kick or a goal kick.
24.1.10 He bends his palm to show that a player is playing without his role
24.1.11 He shows parts of his body to show that a player has touched the ‘Rur’ with that
specific body
24.1.12 He whistles a long whistle and shows his two hands first by bending and then
shortening to show that it is the end of the game.
24.1.13 He shows his hands in the direction at which fouls should be directed when players
push, pull and or make any kind of foul to other players.
24.1.14 The referee raises his hand and forms a v-shape with his two fingers to show that a
player is hanged by two players.
24.2 Symbols of the an Assistant Referee
24.2.1 Shows that the ‘Rur’ goes out of the sidelines and back lines with the flag raised
with a hand.
 24.2.2 Directs his/her hand to the direction at which the ‘Rur’ should be kicked with a flag.
Assistant referee stands showing their body to the field.
24.2.3 shows a flag when the ‘Rur’ goes out of the back sidelines with one hand
24.2.4 If the ‘Rur’ goes out through the back sidelines and if it is a corner kick the assistant
coach will direct his flag to the corner kick point.
24.2.5 If the ball is not a corner kick the assistant shows his hand to the goal keeper to
show that it is a goal kick.
24.2.6 Assistants will show their flags for fouls not seen by the main referee and shows the
direction of the free kick
24.2.7 They show their flags with their two hands to mean that there is a substitute

Rule Five
Identifying the winner of the game and about stopping the game
Article 25 The duration of the game
25.1 The game has a total time of 60 minutes divided into two half times and 10 minutes break
after the first 30 minutes half time.
25.2 A time wasted during the first half will be added before the stoppage of the first half and
if there are wasted minutes on the second half, time will be added before the end of the
second half too.
Article 26 Extra time and identifying the winner
26.1 The winner of ‘Gena’ cultural game will be identified by the number of goals at the end
of the stoppage time. A team that has more goal than the other will win the game.
26.2 If the game is a knock out game, and if the two teams finish the regular time with an
equalizer, 20 minutes of extra time will be added. The 20 added minutes will be divided
in to two half’s.
26.3 If the two teams are unable to win each other, the teams will be given three penalty
shots. And the penalty continues by adding one penalty after the three shots until one of
them wins the game.
26.4 The number of penalty players should be equal in both teams.
26.5 Players will not repeat penalty until all properly registered players kick the penalty.
26.6 It is not obligatory to kick all the three penalty kicks
26.7 If the number of players of a team decreases because of any reason during the penalty
kick, the penalty will continue with the remaining players.
26.8 If a team is late for over 15 minutes of the starting time of the game, the team present
will be the winner.
26.9 If a team comes up with less than 7 players, they will be given 15 minutes to add players
and if they are able to add players and continue the game it will be considered that they
lost the game.
26.10 If a team has less than 7 players due to players’ suspension, they will be considered that
they lost the game.
26.11 Three points will be given for a team scoring more goals during the game. If the two
teams complete the game with an equalizer they will have one point each. If a team wins
with the absence of the opponent team due to different reasons, the team present will be a
winner with three points and two goals. And the absent team will have zero points with
no goal.
Article 27 Terminating playing time of the game
A game could be forced to stop due to uncontrolled conditions such as heavy rain and
violence.
27.1 If the game could restart within 30 minutes, it will continue from the time stopped in a
bid to complete the remaining time.
27.2 If a game is not restarted for over 30 minutes and if the referee believes that it should be
repeated in another time, the issue will be presented to competition and protocol
committee and it will be held in another suitable time.

Rule Six. The start of the game and the fighting (‘Mekoraqoz’) during the start
Article 28 the start of the game
28.1 First the referee will make a lottery with the captain of the two teams for goal selection.
28.2 The team leader who gets the lottery will select one of the two half sides of the field.
28.3 The referee will put the ‘Rur’ at the middle of the field (the fighting zone usually termed
as ‘qurquz’) and let the captains start the game through fighting.

Article 29: ‘Mekorakoz’ (the act of fighting at the beginning of the game to
get the ‘Rur’)
29.1 ‘Mekorakoz’ is the first part of ‘Gena’ cultural game held by the captains of the two
teams. The captains stood at the middle of the field in the circular line and say «Here is
the ‘Rur’, here is ‘Gena’» three times and they start to kick the ‘Rur’. If anyone of the
capitains tries to kick the ‘Rur’ without saying «Here is the ‘Rur’, Here is ‘Gena’» three
times will get penalized.
29.2 The other players will stood on their position 4 meters away from the captains in their
own half fields.
29.3 The players may come inside and play outside the middle circular area with the ‘Rur’ to
enable the captains’ touch and start the game.
29.4 On the second half of the game the referee will let the captains fight to get the ‘Rur’ to
start the game again.
29.5 The referee will make the game start after a goal is scored by allowing the captains
struggle to get the ‘Rur’ with forceful activity.
29.6 The referee allows the two teams engage in the forceful ‘mekorakoz’ when the two
teams change their goal area and starts an extra time.
29.7 Goal is said to be scored in the game of ‘Gena’ when the ‘Rur’ passes the goal lines in a
limited metal bars either in the ground or on the air.
29.8 The ‘Rur’ may go up about 1 meter high in the goal area
29.9 If a team scores a goal that is in line with the rule of the game, the referee will start the
game by the aggressive start of the two captains (that is through the act of ‘Mekorakoz’).
29.10 A player can control, kick or pass the ‘Rur’ to the right, left or behind to his team mates if
only he has 4 meters gap between another player/s/.
Rule Seven Goal kicks, sideline kicks and corner kicks
Article 30 Goal kicks
30.1 Goal kick will be given to a team if the ball goes out of the back sidelines of the field by
the shoot or touch of the players of a striking team.
30.2 Goal kick will be conducted by putting the ‘Rur’ on left, right or middle lines in front of
the goal keeper area.
30.3 The ‘Rur’ is said to be at play when it passes the goal area.
30.4 The player who kicks the Goal kick is not allowed to touch the ‘Rur’ again before other
players get the kick.
30.5 The goal kick will be repeated if the kick is not able to pass the goal area lines or the
player who kicked the goal kick touches the ‘Rur’ before any other player.
Article 31: Sideline kicks
31.1 If a team lets the ball out of the sidelines through touching, the opponent team will put
the ‘Rur’ on the point it goes out and kicks the ball to the playing field.
31.2 If it is difficult to identify who lets the ‘Rur’ out of the sidelines, the referee uses ‘qurquz’
or ‘mekorakoz’ so that players of the two teams will look for the ‘Rur’ forcefully.
31.3 The player of the defending team should stand four meters away from the kick lines in
the sideline kicks.
Article 32 Corner kick
32.1 Corner kick will be given to the striking team if the ‘Rur’ goes out of the back sideline of
the defending team by the touch of defenders.
32.2 Corner kick will be kicked from any point of a quarter circular areas in the corner of the
field the ball goes out.
32.3 It is not allowed to displace the flag on the corner to kick the ‘Rur’ from the Corner.
32.4 The players of the defending team are allowed to stand four meters further against the
corner kick.
32.5 A defending player is not allowed to move to the ‘Rur’ before the whistle in a bid to
defend at any circumstance.
32.6 At any circumstance a player who kicks the ‘Rur’ is not allowed touching the ‘Rur’
before another player touches it.

Rule Eight

Article 33 Meaning of free kicks

33.1 Free kicks will be given when players make technical mistake in connection with the
game
33.2 Free kicks will be held at the area the fouls were made
33.3 When fouls were made inside the penalty area the ‘Rur’ will go 4 meters away from the
defending payers to the penalty lines.
Article 34 Fouls that leads to free kicks
34.1 When the player plays or kicks the ‘Rur’ from a distance less than 4 meters from the
other player.
34.2 When a player plays with the ‘Rur’ that goes higher than his waist even if collided with
other objects.
34.3 shooting the ‘Rur’ above the waist
34.4 Catching the ‘Rur’ with a hand and then shooting
34.5 Trying to get the ‘Rur’ with an increased number of players especially two or more
players from one team snatching for the ‘Rur’.
34.6 If a player touches the ‘Rur’ of a free kick before other players by kicking the ball
himself.
34.7 Making different fouls such as pushing, hanging the sport wears of players, blocking
players while running and pulling
34.8 playing by handing the stick of ‘Gena’ above the waist
34.9 Violating the four meter distance gap
34.10 Controlling or playing with the ‘Rur’ without the stick
34.11 If players get inside the goal keeper area
34.12 blocking the stick of the opponent with ones playing stick
34.13 playing by carrying a stick with one hand
34.14 If the Goal keeper plays out of the goal area and shoots the ‘Rur’.
34.15 When conducts fouls twice other than penalty shots
34.16 Not successfully taking penalty at first shot

Rule Nine Penalty Shots

Article 35: Meaning and preconditions
35.1 Penalty shots will be given if the defending players conduct five major fouls inside the
penalty areas
35.2 All the players will stand behind the player who will kick the penalty 4 meters away from
the rays inside the goal area
35.3 The goal keeper will stand on the goal line during the penalty
35.4 The player who will kick the penalty should be clearly known.
35.5 Penalty shots should be kicked to the front but not to the back
Article 36 Fouls that leads to penalty
36.1 If the defender intentionally blocks or hits the opponent player with his stick, pull or push
the player in a bid to block him not to score a goal.
36.2 If the defender plays with the ‘Rur’ without the stick in his own goal area while he could
use the stick
36.3 If a goal is blocked by any other means not allowed in the game
36.4 If the goal keeper touches the ‘Rur’ with a hand putting his stick on the ground or placing
it in his armpit.
36.5 If a goal keeper picks the ball with his hand out of his goal area in the penalty region.
Article 37: Actions to be taken during penalty shots
37.1 If a striking player/s/ passes the penalty region or the four meter rays, the goal will be
cancelled if scored or restarts as a goal kick if not scored.
37.2 If the defending player/s/ passes the penalty region or the four meter rays, the goal will be
registered if scored or the penalty will be repeated if not scored.
37.3 If players of both teams pass the penalty region or the four meter rays in the region, the
penalty will be repeated.

Rule 10: Fouls and forbidden acts

Meaning
Fouls and forbidden acts are conducted by the registered players of the two teams and their
substitutes inside or outside the playing fields. The acts are said to be disciplinary misconducts.

Article 38: Acts that leads to yellow card

38.1 If a player delays the time of the game at any cost for his/his team advantage
38.2 If a player catches the ‘Rur’ with his hand and shoots it.
38.3 Dropping intentionally the playing stick, kicking the ground with the stick, throwing
dusts, and soil, sand and grass dusts on players.
38.4 Being present on the playing field without having the playing stick
38.5 Opposing the decision of the referee verbally or non-verbally.
38.6 Conducting acts against the principles of sport and fair play.
38.7 Going in and out of the playing field without the permission of the referee
38.8 Not standing at four meter distance during different kicks
38.9 When a player took his shirt to express happiness or other emotions
38.10 Aggressive playing style and the act of threatening players with the playing stick.

Article 39: Fouls that leads to a Red card

39.1 Blocking the chance of the goal with an aggressive playing style intentionally
39.2 spitting on players or any other person
39.3 Coming into the field after using any kind of drugs
39.4 Insulting (using offensive words), fighting or advising for the acts
39.5 communicating the referee with rude words or insulting the referee
39.6 Making a foul that leads to a second yellow card
39.7 Insulting anybody verbally or non-verbally
39.8 Players removed from the field with a red card should leave the playing area or the
technical region and should sit with spectators.