Aninzo steps out of comfort zone

Many-time national team player Christopher Aninzo took the road less traveled and is determined to continue the challenging journey on his way to making it to the pro ranks and inspiring the CNMI youth.

Aninzo, who this year suited up for the Blue Ayuyus in the EAFF E-1 Football Championships 2019 Round 1 in Mongolia this year, is back on Saipan, taking a break from his studies at York St. John University in the United Kingdom where he is also enrolled in a program handled by professional soccer coaches.

“I am taking up International Business Management and is with York St. John University’s soccer program (with i2i International Soccer Academy),” said Aninzo, who decided to head to Europe to study and play soccer instead of going to the U.S. mainland just like what other CNMI players do.

“I got a call from a an online recruitment site and they asked if I am interested at coming over to York. I thought about it for a while, knowing that if I do come and stay there, it will be a very difficult setup up for me and my family—new people, new environment, new culture. I came in March and committed to the program, so I returned in York in September,” said Aninzo.

At the York St. John University, the 19-year-old trains under former Manchester United and York City midfielder Jonathan Greening and Bryan Hughes—another former English pro.

“The training—individually and in group—is way high in terms of standards. You need a strong mindset and must be in top physical shape to keep up with the program and the players. I go to the gym every morning, do rehab, and attend the team’s training. It’s a bit similar to what we are doing in the CNMI national team, but the level is just some notches higher,” said Aninzo.

He attends the soccer program from 2pm to 6pm and goes to school from 9am to 12pm on weekdays. On top of the four-hour soccer session every day, York St. John plays in two leagues (universities and soccer academies matches), three to four times a week in the evening or late afternoon.

“It’s tough, very physically challenging, and I am overwhelmed, but I like it—it’s something I have imagined before. It gives me an entirely different perspective on how soccer is played there and what we can do to help CNMI soccer move closer to that level. It’s like I am stepping out of my comfort zone, traveling halfway across the world to try to reach my goals, which are to make it to the pro and encourage other youth to stay dedicated to the sports and get education so that when we return to the islands, we can have something to give back to the people of the CNMI and other isolated countries,” the former MP United Football Club goalkeeper said.

Besides polishing his soccer skills, Aninzo is also learning how to be independent and adapt to changes in York. He thanked CNMI national men’s team head coach Michiteru Mita for opening his eyes on how to survive the world where not everything you want and need are handed out to you.

“In one of our training camps off-island, coach Mita let us experienced how it was like to live in non-fancy hotels along the busiest streets in Hong Kong where all the comforts of life are not readily available. He asked us what should we do if we’re put in the rock-bottom situation, how are we going to adapt to the culture, the environment, and the hardship,” Aninzo said.

“In York, I am experiencing that and I have to compose myself to get through this new life. I am staying in the dorm, cooking for myself, doing the laundry, and everything that I used to take for granted because there are people who do that for me back home. Now, I am learning how to be independent and more appreciative of the things I have and how I need to work hard to get them,” the Marianas High School graduate said.

Aninzo also thanked Northern Mariana Islands Football Association president Jerry Tan and other people who helped him make it to York and take the first step to move up to the pro ranks. He then encouraged his fellow CNMI players, especially the youth, to stay with the program despite the many obstacles they are battling right now and will be facing in the future.

“I know it’s been hard since Saipan was hit by Super Typhoon Yutu. But don’t lose hope and remain positive. We have to find ways on how a disadvantageous situation can work to our favor,” he said.