Saipan Soccer School donates ball to clubs

Saipan Soccer School turned over 30 balls to clubs under the Northern Mariana Island Football Association in its continuing effort to support the development of the sport in the CNMI.

Saipan Soccer School executive director Merlie Tolentino, fifth left, joins representatives of various football clubs for a group photo before turning over the donated balls last Nov. 5 at the lobby of Kanoa Resort. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The donation turnover ceremony took place last Nov. 5 before NMIFA’s send-off ceremony to the CNMI U13 National Team at the lobby of Kanoa Resort. SSC executive director Merlie Tolentino gave the balls to representatives of MP United Football Club, Shirley’s FC, Tan Holdings FC, Matansa FC, Kanoa FC, and Paire FC. Tinian Premier FC’s representative could not make it to last week’s event, but the club will still receive the same donation.

Of the 30 balls, 20 of them are size 5 and will be used by players in the 15 and up age group, while the 10 size 4 are for the younger divisions.

“Through this donation, Saipan Soccer School would like to reiterate its commitment in working hand in hand with NMIFA and the football clubs on the island in pushing for the development of football in the CNMI,” Tolentino said.

“We will do our best to continue giving assistance to NMIFA and its members by donating equipment and hosting clinics, training, and tournaments for players and coaches,” she added.

MP United president Vickie Izuka, who witnessed the donation turnover ceremony and let her son and the club’s goalie Clayton Izuka receive the balls on behalf of the club, thanked SSS for its generosity.

“MP United FC would like to extend a very big thank you to Saipan Soccer School for the generous ball donation to the clubs. This is the one of the most prized items of equipment for our club as we have many players of all ages and need to keep replenishing our stock,” the MPU head said.

“This comes at a good time together with the NMIFA ball donation, especially after Typhoon Soudelor reduced our training field’s availability for our youth teams this season. With supporters such as Saipan Soccer School, our youth continue to greatly benefit from the most beautiful sport in the world,” Vickie Izuka added.

Kanoa FC general secretary Cristy Villaflor, on the other hand, said the donated balls will serve the club well during its training sessions.

“The more balls we have, the faster we can conduct drills among our players during their training sessions. Instead of spending some time chasing after a loose ball, they could proceed to the next drill and save energy for the remaining practice session,” Villafor said.

For his part, Tan Holdings FC general secretary Ador Dimaano considered the donated balls as savings for the club.

He said Tan Holdings FC does fundraising events to support the club’s needs, such as equipment, and the SSS donation saved them a few hundred dollars, which they could use in other programs. Regular soccer balls cost between $13 and $20 each.

He added that the donated balls will help their coaches facilitate training sessions and give players more opportunities to work on their skills.