‘Dream come true’

What started as a dream has turned into a reality, as the NMI Training Center in Koblerville opened yesterday with hundreds witnessing the inauguration of the state-of-the-art soccer facility.

“Dreams do come true,” said Northern Mariana Islands Football Association president Jerry Tan, whose group worked with the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, the CNMI government, East Asian Football Federation, Guam Football Association, Japan Football Association, and the private businesses in building the NMI Training Center since the project broke ground in 2016.

“This is the most exciting day of my life, seeing this facility and the kids loving to play here,” added Tan, who led the opening of the training center along with Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP), Saipan Mayor David Apatang, East Asian Football Federation and Korean Football Association president Chung Mong-gyu, other dignitaries, NMIFA and government officials, and off-island guests.

“Protect this facility. It’s yours and it will going to stay here for a very long time,” said Torres, who disclosed that he met with Tan two years ago to discuss the project and they went to Guam to see for himself how such a facility will be very helpful to the CNMI, especially among the youth.

The facility houses a main pitch and one mini pitch, with both fields having artificial turf. It also has offices, a bleacher that can sit hundreds, and an ample parking lot. The pitches can hold games all day and throughout the year and the more than 1,000 registered players under NMIFA will be able to play matches in one big venue in much safer conditions. With year-round tournaments, Tan said children and adults alike will stay active and that will help them live a healthier lifestyle.

“It’s easier dealing with the right people with the right purpose and right dream,” the governor added.

Tan envisioned the project after seeing the growing number of players getting into the sport.

“To fully realize the sport’s potential, we have to develop a facility. People will come when we build a facility where they can enjoy and play. When we started soccer in 2005, it was very challenging for us to recruit players, but we never gave up. And through the help of many people, here and off-island, we are able to have continued growth in terms on the number of players and the improvement of their skills, so we have to take it to the next level, which is to have a great facility,” the NMIFA head said.

Patty Coleman, president of the pioneering NMIFA-member club Paire FC and among the few who played at makeshift and non-ideal pitches in the early times of the association, said she could still not believe the CNMI now has a facility like this.

“It’s surreal. I am pretty excited with how the program will get better, as our players get used to playing here,” Coleman said.

Bo Barry, who was among the youth players that kicked balls at the American Memorial Park, said the facility can be compared to the ones they have in the mainland. The many-time CNMI national team member added that since a lot of kids are getting into the program nowadays, having this facility is very timely.

Former NMIFA technical director Kiyoshi Sekuguchi seconded Barry, adding that it was a pleasure seeing how many youth turned out at the opening day to try playing at the pitch for the first time.

“They are having a good time and with proper training and patience from coaches, these kids that you are seeing running around here in this beautiful facility will be your future national players,” the former CNMI national coach added.