Triple J Motors extends support to CNMI soccer

Triple J Motors will continue to help in the development of soccer in the CNMI through its partnership with the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association.

To start with, Triple J Motors turned over a brand new 2017 Mazda3i Touring hatchback to NMIFA last Wednesday.

“Triple J is proud to provide the ‘official car’ of the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association. This brand new, 2017 Mazda3i Touring hatchback is donated to NMIFA for their use for two years and this is the second car that we have provided to the organization. This will be the fourth year of providing NMIFA with their ‘official car’ and this partnership with NMIFA is a great match for Triple J Motors for a number of reasons,” Triple J Motors general manager Randy Steele said.

Steele led the turnover ceremony, handing over the car key to NMIFA president Jerry Tan. Other NMIFA officials and members and coaches of the CNMI U16 boys and U18 girls national teams were also present at the ceremony.

“First, the sport of soccer has grown enormously in the CNMI over the last decade, thanks to the tremendous efforts of Jerry Tan and all past and present NMIFA officers, coaches and staff. Soccer is an excellent way for the CNMI’s youth and adults to stay fit and enjoy the camaraderie of a team sport. As a long-time youth soccer coach myself with the MP United Football Club, I know first-hand the benefits that organized soccer has provided to the youth of the CNMI, not only through the weekly matches but also with the opportunities to travel to Guam and other countries for tournaments, whether on a national team or even at the club level,” Steele said.

The Triple J Motors general manager added that the children’s parents also benefit from the sport, simply by being at their games, cheering them on and joining the camaraderie and fun that organized soccer offers.

“Often our club’s parents have as much fun at the games as the kids do. Finally, Triple J Motors is also very involved as a sponsor in Guam’s soccer leagues, which have grown tremendously to the point where matches are now regularly televised. We want to be there and get involved with NMIFA, helping them reach that level, from when the new CNMI Soccer Training Complex in Koblerville is built, to when our national teams can go to foreign soil and be consistent match winners,” Steele said.

“Growing the soccer program on Saipan only encourages more youth and adults to get involved, promote teamwork and overall wellness of our community along with the added benefit of increasing sports tourism in the CNMI with the draw of a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility. With the stellar leadership of NMIFA’s executive committee, coaches and staff, we at Triple J Motors are big believers in the future success of the NMIFA and we’re proud to partner with them ‘on the road’ to attaining that success,” he added.

NMIFA general secretary Ross Zapanta thanked Triple J Motors and its management for their continued commitment to the association and the sport.

“We’re very thankful to Triple J Motors for their continued support. With generous sponsors like them, we’re able to grow the sport in the CNMI,” Zapanta said.

The NMIFA official added that besides providing the official car to NMIFA, Triple J Motors will also be sponsoring the Sportsmanship Awards to be given to players in the NMIFA youth league at the end of the fall season and next year. Zapanta also said Triple J Motors has expressed an interest in hosting the awards ceremony for the same league.