Jan Meda

Jan Meda Sport Ground or Jan Meda, is a large field in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. With an area of 25,000 square kilometers^{[citation needed]}, the sport ground hosts Jan Meda International Cross Country as well as social and religious events, most notability, the Timkat celebration held there.^[1][2][3]

Jan Meda

Ethiopian Orthodox Church priests celebrating Timkat at Jan Meda in 2015
Full name	Jan Meda Sport Ground
Location	Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Coordinates	9.042882796108058°N 38.76887336622927°E / 9.042882796108058; 38.76887336622927
Current use	Sporting Social Religious celebration (e.g Timkat celebration)

Commissioned by Emperor Menelik II to commemorate Ethiopian victory during 1896 Battle of Adwa, the ground is dedicated to St. George. Menelik, his royal family and entourages used the field for horse racing and polo. Jan Meda is a compound word of Jan (Janhoy, meaning "His Majesty King") and Meda ("field"). Thus, it is called "King's field". Jan Meda is a large open space located in north-eastern of Addis Ababa.^[4][5][6]

During the 60s and 70s, ye-gena qwas or dula tournaments (along with polo) were played among military divisions in the presence of higher officials who's teams included the "Mechal Club" (4th division "Toreserawit"), Mekuria Club ( 1st division, Kiber Zebenya), Omedla Club (police department / Airforce), Finanace Club, and more at Janhoy Meda on the day of Christmas.