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sports<br />
entertainment<br />
All Haile Gebreselassie<br />
Ma jid Michel<br />
Accomplished, Celebrated and Host of the<br />
African <strong>Entertainment</strong> Awards<br />
In a time when athletes are paid ridiculous sums for their work, it is not unusual<br />
to hear about an athlete spending money lavishly; buying expensive houses and<br />
cars, amassing collections the same way us plebeians would collect stamps.<br />
That’s why it’s always refreshing and I think progressive when an athlete takes the<br />
time and effort to create or support a charity that is dear to them. The case becomes<br />
even more inspiring when it’s African athlete, Haile Gebrselassie because it<br />
is a well known fact that Africa produces some of the world’s top athletes but also<br />
we know the continent has a lot of socio-economic issues that need to be dealt<br />
with. Hence, the fact that he giving back to his community, country and continent<br />
is something to be celebrated.<br />
Haile’s long-distance running career spans over 20 years and through it all the man<br />
has won two Olympic gold medals, four World Championship gold medals, numerous<br />
awards<br />
and has set many<br />
records as proof ...his passion for running, of his outstanding<br />
athleticism. In<br />
his love for giving and raising<br />
awareness for his chosen<br />
2010, he dropped<br />
out of the annual<br />
New York City<br />
Marathon due to<br />
an inflamed knee<br />
and announced charity are close to his heart his retirement but<br />
he soon changed<br />
his mind because<br />
for someone like Haile, his passion for running, his love for giving and raising awareness<br />
for his chosen charity are close to his heart. Even though the 40 year old has<br />
been all over the world competing, he has not forgotten his roots and is currently a<br />
marathon partner with the Entoto Foundation, a foundation dedicated to helping Ethiopians gain<br />
access to medical care and treatment.<br />
Haile has pledged to raise $200,000US and plans to do so by having a Tour, a ½ and 5k run all in<br />
one weekend, October 18 to October 20. The tour will give people the chance to explore Ethiopia<br />
and learn more about its culture and history, showing that Haile also cares about showing off<br />
his country in the best light. Both the half marathon and 5k races will occur on October 20. The<br />
race weekend planned promises to be exciting with a kids’ race, a cultural expo and group runs<br />
slated among other events. Haile and his team through this race weekend show us that when<br />
something is very important to you, you go the extra mile and put in the extra effort. I applaud<br />
Haile Gebrselassie for his work and I hope that his efforts will inspire others, not just athletes, to<br />
give their very best to whatever endeavors they have.<br />
Majid Michel hosts the 3rd Annual African <strong>Entertainment</strong><br />
Awards at the Mississauga, On Living<br />
Arts Centre on August 31st alongside budding<br />
Nigerian actress Tracey Obonna. Excitement and<br />
anticipation surrounds his hosting gig and the fans wait<br />
patiently to see what he has up his sleeve on the night!<br />
<strong>Entertainment</strong> Africa Magazine celebrates and recognizes<br />
the many accomplishments made by Ghanaian<br />
actor Majid Michel. The A-list mega movie star has left<br />
an imprint in our African film/entertainment industry<br />
and never leaves us hanging with a less than spectacular<br />
performance on the big screen. Majid is the real deal.<br />
His on screen roles and filmography boast over 40 films<br />
and counting. We love to watch his versatility, charm<br />
and truly convincing characters.<br />
Majid has come a long way as a British trained actor;<br />
starting as a model, then a Ghana radio show series<br />
turned television show actor in Things We Do For Love<br />
and then moves to a breakout star in the 2004 release of<br />
his first movie, Divine Love. After his humble and hard<br />
working beginnings, it finally gave him a big return. Majid<br />
worked hard, stayed true to himself and the rest is history.<br />
Starring in movies like “Shakira”, “The Beast” and “Sin<br />
Of The Soul” all prove that Majid is a powerhouse actor<br />
who clearly knows what he’s doing. He loves to act, that’s<br />
clear. His natural ability to tug at our hearts, come into<br />
our homes and make us all laugh is something special.<br />
From the entire <strong>Entertainment</strong> Africa Magazine writers/<br />
team we congratulate Majid Michel on his decade plus<br />
service, dedication and powerful moments in film. We<br />
wish him continued success in the many years to come.<br />
Q: Your acting career has taken<br />
you far and wide. What’s<br />
your favorite Majid the “actor”<br />
moment or memory?<br />
A: I guess that would be in<br />
some of my earlier roles.<br />
Especially “Crime to Christ”<br />
and “Agony of Christ”<br />
Q: What’s your favorite thing<br />
about being an African actor?<br />
A: Well, for an actor who<br />
happens to be African,<br />
I would say it’s being an<br />
interesting and exciting ride.<br />
That’s because our industry<br />
is continuously evolving and<br />
I’m in the middle of it. The<br />
experience of challenging<br />
myself as an actor, witnessing<br />
directors, producers and<br />
writers strive to diligently do<br />
and give their best is definitely<br />
spectacular!<br />
Q: Tell us about your<br />
current projects?<br />
A. I just finished filming in<br />
Nigeria for Imem Isong but<br />
l have in development, my<br />
own film project and also taking<br />
time to organize the Majid<br />
Michel Foundation and doing<br />
a facelift to my website.<br />
Q: What was your first reaction<br />
when asked to be host of<br />
the 2013 African <strong>Entertainment</strong><br />
Awards in Canada?<br />
A: Surprised of course and I<br />
hesitated – started thinking<br />
of fans booing me off stage<br />
lol, but I’ve been to Canada<br />
twice and the fans are lovely,<br />
very warm, and I’ve always<br />
enjoyed myself. So although<br />
am not a host, I look forward<br />
to giving it my best shot.<br />
Q: As host of the 3rd annual<br />
African <strong>Entertainment</strong><br />
Awards in Canada this<br />
month, what can the attendees<br />
expect from you?<br />
A: Nothing – just kidding<br />
…..hmmm – they should just<br />
come out, expecting to have<br />
fun – they get to see Majid<br />
Michel in a different element<br />
– when not acting – Scary!<br />
Q: Do you get the chance to<br />
host a lot of ceremonies and<br />
award shows?<br />
A: I get asked a lot and usually<br />
I don’t or sometimes<br />
because of schedule conflicts,<br />
but I’m warming up to the<br />
idea - very slowly though, I<br />
think it’s difficult than acting<br />
or maybe it’s still acting I’m<br />
not too sure yet.<br />
Q: Your special message to<br />
the <strong>Entertainment</strong> Africa<br />
Magazine readers would<br />
be…?<br />
A: “If you Change nothing in<br />
your life, nothing will change!<br />
When you come to the end<br />
of all the light you know, and<br />
it’s time to step into the darkness<br />
of the unknown, faith<br />
is knowing that one of two<br />
things shall happen: Either<br />
you will be given something<br />
solid to stand on or you will<br />
be taught to fly.” Come out<br />
and enjoy yourselves, your<br />
support continues to take our<br />
industry to the next level!!<br />
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