NMIFA receives $500 from XTERRA Scramble

The Northern Mariana Islands Football (Soccer) Association received another boost that will go a long ways in helping the group accomplish its goals for the sport in the Commonwealth.

The evening before the spotlight was turned to triathletes who took part in the 5th XTERRA Saipan Championships, youngsters from the NMIFA league were able to experience another treat on the field in the XTERRA Soccer Challenge last Friday at the American Memorial Park.

The young kickers each had three shots at scoring goals on special guest goaltenders Brad Ruszala and Shan Seman of the Saipan Tribune as runners were busy challenging the XTERRA Scramble Sunset Trail Run.

While many were busy trying to get the balls past the two goaltenders, others were engaged in a dribbling contest.

“They had a blast,” said NMIFA official Sue Knecht. “They loved it. I think their favorite thing was trying to score on [Ruszala and Seman] for sure. There was a bit of a dribbling contest that was going on for the older kids but definitely scoring the goals on the guys was the highlight.”

All participants of the challenge received medals provided by XTERRA, which presented a check worth $500 to NMIFA in support of local sports organizations.

“I think it’s awesome,” Knecht said. “All I can say is XTERRA always is a positive role model for children and we appreciate it and I would really hate to see XTERRA go away.”

Knecht said the money donated by XTERRA will be used to purchase soccer balls for the players.

“We’re probably going to use money to buy new balls for next season so every kid gets to take their own ball home with them.”

Knecht said the next season for the NMIFA league begins on August and that players will be able to get soccer balls during registration.

“A lot of the kids don’t have their own balls so this year the goal is each kid gets their own ball during registration and they can take it home and practice their skills, and then they’re responsible for it and we wont have to keep track of those 300 some balls,” she said.

XTERRA took $5 out of the $15 charged to runners for the run and donated it to NMIFA. Contributions from last year’s Scramble were made to the Saipan Swim Club, and the Northern Mariana Islands Track and Field Federation—now Northern Marianas Athletics—received contributions two and three years ago.