 Founded in 1935, the club was the first in Ethiopia and was established as a symbol of Ethiopian nationalism and resistance against the occupying forces of fascist Italy.The club was founded on 1935 at Doro Manekia in George Dukas's family house by Ethiopian Ayele Atnash and Greek George Ducas.Established in the Arada (Arada Giorgis) neighborhood of Addis Ababa during Fascist Italy's invasion of Ethiopia, the club quickly became the symbol of Ethiopian nationalism in the midst of Italian occupation.