Football festival draws over 200 players

A Tinian Premier Football Club player, left, uses his body to stop the ball during a co-ed U12 game against Shirley’s Football Club in the 2015 NMIFA Youth Spring League Football Festival held last Saturday at the Koblerville Elementary School Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

A total of 235 players from seven clubs participated in the 2015 NMIFA Youth Spring League Football Festival held last Saturday at the Koblerville Elementary School Field.

“We had a good turnout and we’re happy to see the players’ enthusiasm during the games despite the intermittent rain and the hot weather,” Northern Mariana Islands Football Association general secretary Ross Zapanta, who also took note of the well-organized event thanks to the pool of referees, coaches, players’ parents, and Koblerville officials.

The festival featured games in the co-ed U8, U10, and U12 divisions, and grassroots program for U6. The U10 age group lured the most participants with 94, while 76 and 49 joined the U8 and U12 divisions, and U6 had 16 players.

Officials of the participating clubs were proud of the performance of their respective players in the festival and the matches in the spring season.

“We’ve seen significant improvements from our players. They have shown better endurance, discipline, and teamwork. Their skills have also improved,” Tinian Premier Football Club president Arley Long said.

Tinian brought two teams from the festival with its U10 and U12 squads each having 11 players.

“They played well and showed what they’ve been doing during our training sessions,” added Long, who thanked the Child Care and Development Fund for helping them start and continue the program that also draws support for Sherman Consulting, LLC and its head Philip Long.

Tan Holdings fielded 30 players from three age groups (U6, U8, and U10) in the festival and won all their matches, according to the club’s general secretary Ador Dimaano. Dimaano also made special mention of their player’s much improved skills, saying they are ready to elevate their games to the next level.

“The teamwork is there and they really work hard on improving their skills every game,” he added.

As for Kanoa FC, general secretary Cristy Villaflor said that although some of their players started football late and joined the team just one or two years ago, they held their ground against much experienced players during the festival and the earlier games.

“They are picking up skills that they need in order to join competitive games in the coming years and are very eager to learn,” Villaflor said.