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‘Bright future ahead for CNMI football’
Asian Football Confederation development consultant Domeka Garamendi is flanked by Northern Mariana Islands Football Association president Jerry Tan, left, and general secretary Ross Zapanta during a visit at the NMIFA office in Garapan yesterday. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
Asian Football Confederation development consultant Domeka Garamendi sees a bright future awaiting CNMI football.
Garamendi, who was on Saipan this week for a three-day visit , made the forecast after going through Northern Mariana Islands Football Association’s strategic plan for 2018 to 2023.
“I am here to help NMIFA review, refine, and finalize its strategic plan and see how AFC could help in realizing these goals. The plan leans heavily on development since the FA is just new. Definitely, the programs are workable so the future is bright for CNMI football,” added Garamendi.
The five-year strategic plan includes programs for the development of coaches, players, officials, and infrastructures.
“These will form the base for CNMI football and help NMIFA continue moving to the right direction as it seeks to strengthen the sport here,” the former FIFA development officer said.
Garamendi also pointed out the steady popularity of football in the Commonwealth, in terms of participation and spectators, is a good sign for NMIFA even though the CNMI has a low population thus having limited pool of players and coaches.
He said the islands should look into the cases of some European countries, which maybe small in terms of population, but still manage to develop players and coaches that can compete against high-level teams from countries with bigger population.
“Don’t be discourage with your limitation and instead look for inspiration from others who are in the same situation. Take the best practices/programs of other countries and tweak them to fit your local needs. Development is not one size fits all. The CNMI has to create its own football by learning from others,” Garamendi said.
“There are a lot of good things happening here and I am sure more will come. AFC will help NMIFA and CNMI realize these goals through its program.”
Meanwhile, NMIFA general secretary Ross Zapanta thanked AFC and Garamendi for visiting Saipan and sharing his thoughts on the association’s strategic plan. The NMIFA official added they are looking forward to working with the development consultant in the future.
