NMIFA inks deal with Soccer Junky

NMIFA president Jerry Tan, fifth left, presents a plaque of appreciation to Soccer Junky president Hayato Aoki, fourth left, during an agreement signing ceremony between NMIFA and the Japan-based company yesterday at the NMIFA office at the TSL Plaza. Joining them are NMIFA’s Executive Committee members and general secretary Ross Zapanta, right. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Northern Mariana Islands Football Association has reached an agreement with Soccer Junky, naming the Japan-based company the official supplier of CNMI teams’ uniforms.

Soccer Junky president Hayato Aoki and NMIFA president Jerry Tan signed the pact in a brief ceremony yesterday at the NMIFA office. The association’s Executive Committee members Glenn Perez, Joseph Kevin Villagomez, Vickie Izuka, and Elna Curate, and NMIFA general secretary Ross Zapanta witnessed the signing of the agreement.

Under the one-year deal, which will be effective starting on April 1 this year and until March 31, 2016, Soccer Junky will supply uniform sets for the CNMI’s boys U15 and U18, senior women’s, and girls U14 national teams. Each set includes home and away jerseys, practice uniforms, warm-up suit, and walking shirt. NMIFA estimates the cost of the uniform sponsorship at over $40,000.

“We can’t thank enough Soccer Junky for this generous donation. We very much appreciate the company’s assistance and the efforts of Mr. Aoki to come all the way from Japan to sign an agreement with us. This deal is very timely, as we will have four national teams competing in off-island tournaments this year,” said Tan, who also made special mention of NMIFA technical director Kiyoshi Sekiguchi for facilitating the deal.

Sekiguchi started working out the pact with Soccer Junky through his former club, the J-League’s Yokohama FC, which has also reached an agreement with Aoki’s company.

“Having a uniform is very important for any team in any sport. It symbolizes solidarity and unity as the team seeks one common goal,” Sekiguchi said.

When asked what made Soccer Junky decide to ink a pact with NMIFA, Aoki said they are encouraged by the relentless efforts of NMIFA officials in pushing for the development of the sport in the CNMI.

“Coach Seki and Mr. Jerry Tan are very passionate in their attempt to put CNMI football to another level. They are doing all their best to help the players, coaches, and officials, so we are here to assist CNMI football, too, in our own little way,” Aoki said through interpreter Takemoto Suzuki of Chelsea FC Soccer School Hong Kong.

Aoki added he and NMIFA officials share the same passion in soccer, as he once played for a professional team in Peru.

Meanwhile, besides supplying the uniforms for the Commonwealth’s national teams, Tokyo-based Soccer Junky will also try to have its products available at different stores on the island. In Japan, Soccer Junky items are available in over 100 stores and they can also be bought online via soccerjunky.com.