Triple J Motors renews partnership with NMIFA

The partnership that is instrumental to the success of the grassroots soccer program in the CNMI will continue, as Triple J Motors has renewed its ties with the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association.

Triple J Motors will still be the main sponsor of the NMIFA Youth League, which holds games in the spring and fall competitions for players in the U6 to U18 age groups and draws more than 1,000 participants every season. The company will also continue to provide transportation to NMIFA coaches, who visit schools to introduce the program to students and conduct other soccer-related activities.

“Triple J is extremely proud to continue our longstanding partnership with NMIFA,” Triple J Motors senior vice president Jay Jones said. “This partnership reinforces Triple J’s commitment to building strong communities and in this case enabling our youth to grow and excel in a world renowned sport. As a part of our commitment and dedication to the Triple J philosophy of ‘customers first’ in thought and action, Triple J Enterprises continues to strive for the improvement of quality of life and build strong communities at any capacity.”

To mark Triple J Motors’ commitment to NMIFA’s grassroots program for the sixth straight year, the company’s staff and officials visited the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville late last month and provided players with snacks and refreshments.

“We are extremely grateful to Triple J Motors for supporting a program that is very vital to the growth of soccer in the CNMI. Every year, we look for ways to strengthen our program and reach out to as many youth as possible. We face many challenges along the way with the recent one, Typhoon Yutu, that damaged our facility and halted our games. However, with the support of generous companies like Triple J, we are able to stand back up and rebuild, ” NMIFA president Jerry Tan said.

NMIFA Youth Committee deputy chair Raymond Zapanta said that having partners in the community helps the association deliver a program that greatly benefits our youth. The NMIFA grassroots sports program has produced players that represented the CNMI to international competitions and provided students after-school activities that keep them active and off the streets. Players who took part in the program have also managed to gain athletics scholarships from universities and moved up to collegiate ranks.

“Seeing kids outdoor playing and enjoying the game while discovering and honing their soccer skills and building their character through competitions and interactions with each other gives us all the right reasons to keep the program running despite all the challenges that come our way,” Zapanta said.

Jones said Triple J is proud to be part of the players’ success and the program that makes a big difference in the community.

“Teaming up—whether in sport or business—inspires people and communities, that’s why this partnership makes sense. We have a collective vision for our island and its youth,” Jones said.

Triple J Motors vows to continue coordinating with NMIFA to find ways to better support the association’s program.

“The NMIFA has grown the league in numbers since its opening. It’s heart-warming to see the tireless efforts of Jerry Tan, Ross Zapanta, and the NMIFA administration through the numerous groups of children practicing after school and playing on weekends and challenging one another at the NMI Soccer Training Center. Triple J Motors is proud to partner with NMIFA again to continue to grow the sport on Saipan. We look forward to co-facilitating sportsmanship, passion and perseverance in every youth member of the league,” Triple J Motors general manager Sean Ficke said. (PR)