NMIFA has 2 new licensed coaches

Irish Pagao, left, and Mae Ito, right pose for a photo with AFC instructor Marlon Manos Maro of the Philippines after attending a C coaching course in Guam last month. (Guam Football Association)

Northern Mariana Islands Football Association president Jerry Tan has announced that the CNMI has two new AFC C licensed coaches in Irish Pagarao and Mae Ito.

“Congratulations to coaches Irish and May for passing the AFC C coaching course,” Tan said during the send-off ceremony for the CNMI U19 Women’s National Team last week at Kanoa Resort.

Pagarao and Ito took the course at the Guam Football Association National Training Center in Harmon last month and joined 21 other participants in the two-week event. AFC instructor Marlon Manos Maro of the Philippines conducted the course, which is one of the requirements to coach a youth national team in an Asian Football Confederation or Fédération Internationale de Football Association-organized tournaments.

“This is good news to our program, which is not only focused on developing our players, but also on our coaches and officials/referees. To have a complete and successful development program, we must continue training our coaches,” Tan said.

Pagarao said attending the two-week course and making the grade gave her a better understanding of the game.

“I used to question some calls from the referees. I am also not so sure about the positions of the players in the field and other game tactics. But after this course, I learned a lot and these will help the players I coach. I am now more equipped with the proper training techniques and game plans,” said Pagarao, who calls the shot for the boys U14 team of Kanoa Football Club.

Pagarao, after getting her certification, will be joining the CNMI U19 Women’s National Team that will leave for Nanjing, China later this week to compete in the AFC U19 Women’s Championship 2017 Qualifier. She is the squad’s assistant mentor and has been working with head coach and former Olympian Luam Khen Koo in preparing the youth team for the qualifier that will be held from Nov. 2 to 5.

Pagarao and Ito were the second and third female coaches from the CNMI to earn an AFC C license. Paire Football Club’s Patricia Coleman was the first one.

Meanwhile, the 21 other coaches who got their AFC C license are all from Guam. The list includes Chyna Ramirez, Maggie Phillips, Stewart, San Gil, Pauline Gumataotao, Katie Wendal, Matthew Elwell, Chris Shaver, Derrick Cruz, Thomas Pacileo, Dr. Gary Larkin, Shawn Gumataotao, Pution Mendiola, Jose Garcia, Micah Paulino, Pete Toves, Jeremy Wendal, Bryan Cadiz, Ross Awa, Ralph Awa, Kevin Elwell, Michelle Fatovic, and Chima Mbakwem.