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NMIFA holds AFC Grassroots Football Day on May 19
An MP United Football Club player, left, uses his body to protect the ball from TanHoldings defenders during a scrimmage in the U6 division of the 2018 NMIFA Spring Youth League. Players in the 6 and 7-year-old age groups are invited to attend next month’s AFC Grassroots Football Day. (Contributed Photo)
Northern Mariana Islands Football Association will be holding the AFC Grassroots Football Day on May 19 at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.
The event is aimed at bolstering the CNMI’s grassroots program and to join the Asian Football Confederation in its quest to continue pushing for the development the sport among the young generation in the region.
“May 15 is ‘AFC Grassroots Football Day’ as defined by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 2013. In cooperation with members associations, including NMIFA, AFC organizes commemorative festivals around this day to further develop soccer at the grassroots level across Asia,” NMIFA technical director Michiteru Mita said.
Since May 15 falls on a school day, NMIFA decides to move the event on a weekend to attract more participants and give them more time to enjoy the festivities.
Mita said they are looking to have as much as 120 players (boys and girls), who are born in 2011 and 2012.
“We are organizing activities that are fun for these kids, regardless of their experience. First-timers are welcome to come. NMIFA wishes to share and promote more the joy and excitement of soccer and exercise among kids and this part of our grassroots program is very important to us,” the NMIFA official said.
“There is limited space available and participants are accepted on a first-come, first -served basis. So those who are interested, please contact NMIFA as soon as possible. Let’s celebrate the Grassroots Football Day and have fun,” Mita said.
Registration forms are available at the NMIFA office at the TSL Plaza in Garapan and can also be obtained from NMIFA-member clubs and send to playsoccer@nmifa.com. Players should wear proper attire during the event.
Youth festival tomorrow
Meanwhile the 2018 NMIFA Spring Youth Festival will take place tomorrow at the Koblerville Elementary School Field.
Matches in the co-ed U9, U11, and U13 (non-competitive) will start as early as 8:30am and will run until 1pm. Each game will be played in two 15-minute halves with a five-minute break.
