NMIFA gets invited, visit from GFA officials

After completing its first successful season of youth and women’s ball, the Northern Mariana Islands Football (Soccer) Association received an invite to a major international tournament and a little guidance from the kickers to the south.

NMIFA officials recently received word from the East Asian Football Federation that they were granted roundtrip airfare, accommodations, and entry into the upcoming EAFF U-14 Youth Football Festival in Beijing, China.

Now all the local club has to do is put together a team of 18-20 boys under 14 years old as soon as possible to prepare for the best youth soccer player from the region. In order to help the fledgling organization get ready for the tournament, the Guam Football Association sent technical director Valentino S.N. San Gil and competition chairman Joseph F. Cepeda to Saipan and they offered a wealth of information.

“We’re always willing to come out here and [GFA president] Richard Lai encourages us to always help out. That’s our goal, to promote soccer,” said San Gil during their luncheon at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Lai not only serves as the GFA president, but he also was instrumental in making the trip to China possible as a member of the EAF Finance Committee.

San Gil and Cepeda spent hours assisting NMIFA officials by illustrating the needs that will arise when the delegation travels to China, such as the necessary travel documents, and logistical information including airfare, accommodations, food, visa, and passport requirements.

“We came here with the goal of helping you guys out and that’s what our president Richard [Lai] wants us to do,” said Cepeda.

The GFA certainly knows from experience as they fielded over 100 youth teams, 14 men’s teams, and a dozen women’s teams last season, and they sent 16 teams to compete internationally in destinations such as India, China, Singapore, and the Philippines.

While the local association scrambles to organize the team, the GFA agreed to lend NMIFA the use of coach Tsukitate Norio for two weeks. The Japanese coach will help guide the local kickers in the early stages but GFA officials said that he will also help the women’s league improve as well.

In order to land a spot on the CNMI’s first youth soccer team to compete in China, eligible players must first become a NMIFA member, have been born on or after Jan. 1, 1992, posses a valid U.S. Passport with an expiration date after Jan. 19, 2007, and be willing to travel to China from July 19 to July 26.

For more information about joining the team as a player, coach, or manager, contact Sue Knecht via email at sueknecht1@yahoo.com.