House adopts resolution honoring NMIFA

The House of Representatives passed a resolution last week to recognize the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association for being the sole governing body of the sport in the CNMI and for its achievements and contributions to the islands.

All House members present during the Nov. 25 session adopted Rep. Edward Villagomez’s (Ind-Saipan) House Resolution 18-64.

It stated that NMIFA was formed in 2005 and a “little over two years of its existence, NMIFA established a youth league, a women’s league, a men’s league, and in conjunction with the leagues, has held various players clinics for different age groups and conducted seminars and training for referees and officials.”

HR 18-64 said the association started with about 100 active players, including youth players ranging in age from 4 to 15. Since then, players under NMIFA’s umbrella have grown to about 1,200.

NMIFA was admitted to the East Asian Football Federation as an associate member in 2007 and received full membership from the EAFF in September 2008.

NMIFA was also admitted as an associate member of the Asian Football Confederation in July 2009.

In an effort to develop its players, the association sent the first CNMI U14 National Team to Beijing, China for the East Asian Football Association Youth Festival in 2006; the first Women’s National Team to compete in Taipei for the EAFF Semifinals in 2009; and the first Men’s National Team to compete in Guam for the 2010 East Asian Cup in 2009.

“NMIFA has continuously provided trainings for development and improvement of the Commonwealth’s national football teams, and has been actively participating in tournaments, clinics, and workshops sanctioned by EAFF and AFC,” the resolution reads.

HR 18-64 also listed historic wins by national teams organized by NMIFA. They include:

U15 boys national team against Macau in the 20122 EAFF U15 Tournament (Taipei, July 2011)

U14 boys national team against Guam in the AFC U14 Championship 2014 Qualifiers (Beijing, China, April 2013)

U12 national team against Guam in the 2013 Marianas Cup (Saipan, December 2013)

Men’s national team against Macau in the EAFF East Asian Cup 2015 Preliminary Competition (Guam, July 2014)

Women’s national team against Macau in the EAFF Women’s East Asian Cup 2015 Preliminary Competition (Guam, July 2014)

“Since its inception, NMIFA has successfully ushered the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in the growth and development of the most popular sport in the world,” the resolution reads.

It further added that NMIFA “is committed to nurturing the growing football movement, and dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle, teamwork, discipline, professionalism, sportsmanship, and fair play.”