The 2016/17 Ethiopian Women Premier League season draw were conducted on Tuesday at the Capital Hotel and spa.
The new season will come with new format as clubs and the Federation agreed to leave out playoffs at the end of the season. The conclave in the Ethiopia capital also saw the league committee presenting a report for the previous season in which lack of stadium gate fees and low attendance rate were outline as weakness. The committee further noted the competitiveness of the league is among the stronger side of the 2015/16 season where Dedebit won the league beating bitter rivals Ethiopia Nigd Bank.
Wolaitta Dicha and Mugher Cement are disbanded while the Federation welcomed five new clubs to the elite women league. Addis Ababa clubs Akaki Kaliti Kefle Ketema, Bole Kifle Ketema, Ethiopian Youth Sport Academy and Addis Ababa Ketema alongside South Ethiopian side Gedeo Dilla joined the league for the 2016/17 season. Dashen Bira has been renamed to Tiret Corporate Bahir Dar. The stakeholders have agreed on to commence the league having 2 groups which consist of 10 clubs each. Holders Dedebit and runner-ups Ethiopia Nigd Bank are the two top seeded sides. From the 2017/18 season onward the league will be divided into 2 divisions where 10 best placed team going to the first division. The rest will be relegated to the second division as per the new regulation.
| Group A | Group B |
|---|---|
| Dedebit | Ethiopia Nigd Bank |
| Mekelakeya | Kidus Giorgis |
| Ethiopia Bunna | Lideta Kifle Ketema |
| Ethio Electric | Addis Ababa Ketema |
| Etege | Akaki Kaliti Kifle Ketema |
| Ethiopian Youth Sport Academy | Hawassa Ketema |
| Bole Kifle Ketema | ArbaMinch Ketema |
| Tiret Corporate Bahir Dar | Sidama Bunna |
| Dire Dawa Ketema | Gedeo Dilla |
| Adama Ketema | Kidest Mariam University |
Winners of the two groups will battle it out to be crowned champions of the Ethiopian Women league whilst the runner-ups in each group will face off in a third place playoffs. When the league kicks off in Novemeber, Dedebit start their title defense away as they lock horns against Ethiopia Bunna. 2015/16 season third place playoffs winners Mekelakeya host newcomers Bole Kifle Ketema. Record title winners Ethiopia Nigd Bank play Kidus Giorgis away as Hawassa Ketema and Sidama Bunna get their campaign underway in a derby game.
Group A Week 1 Fixtures
Ethiopia Bunna vs. Dedebit
Tiret vs. Ethiopian Youth Sport Academy
Adama Ketema vs. Etege
Mekelakeya vs. Bole Kifle Ketema
Dire Dawa Ketema vs. Ethio Electric
Group B Week 1 Fixtures
Kidest Mariam University vs. Lideta Kifle Ketema
Kidus Giorgis vs. Ethiopia Nigd Bank
ArbaMinch Ketema vs. Addis Ababa Ketema
Gedeo Dilla vs. Akaki Kaliti Kifle Ketema
Sidama Bunna vs. Hawassa Ketema
