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Vivid Blue, MPU renew ties
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Posted on Mar 28 2012
Japan-based Vivid Blue paid MP United a visit to renew its ties with the local football club.
Vivid Blue president and founder Sachiko Tahara, coach Kosuke Yakubo, and four boys U12 players arrived on Saipan last Sunday and met with MP United players and officials, joining the local clubs practice sessions at Navy Hill and having dinner with the host last Monday.
“We’re here for another visit and sports and cultural exchange with MP United. It has always been a pleasure to come here and meet with out sister club, MP United,” Tahara said in an interview with Saipan Tribune Monday night through interpreter Yasuko Joyner.
After the attending the host’s practice sessions and meeting MP United’s players, the visitors also went to Garapan Elementary School last Tuesday for cultural exchange with GES students.
“We at Vivid Blue not only teach our players how to play soccer, but also how to learn the way of life of people outside Japan,” Tahara added.
MP United official Vickie Izuka, who led the club’s welcome dinner for Tahara and company last Monday, said they are very grateful to Vivid Blue for visiting the island almost every year and bringing players to interact with local strikers.
“We’re happy to have them again and see them enjoy playing with our players this afternoon (Monday). They just started meeting our players this afternoon, but it looked like they love to team up with MP United players. We hope that one day we could also send some players to Japan again to meet the rest of Vivid Blue officials and players,” Izuka said.
MP United U12 coach Joel Jimenez was also present at the dinner and the team’s practice session last Monday and said that Vivid Blue’s visit had mutual benefits to the sister clubs.
“Vivid coaches shared tips and its players also showed our players some moves. Their level of play is very good. They were able to shows our players a different style of playing soccer. Vivid coaches also worked with our players and we exchanged coaching ideas,” Jimenez said.
Vivid Blue was founded in 2006 in Numazu, Sizuoka, with its members totaling to more than 100 and divided into different age groups. The club also has a good number of adult players.
