CFL moves meeting to next week

As world leaders have been making preparations for 2005, so too have the leaders of the Commonwealth Football League, and they will continue their efforts to provide local football enthusiasts with a better product when they meet next week.

According to CFL chairman of the board John S. Blanco, the next meeting of the CFL board members is scheduled for next week Tuesday, Jan. 11, at J’s Restaurant on Middle Road at 6pm.

League organizers are looking on capitalizing upon the interest generated toward the CFL in the successful 2004 season by reaching out to the youth of the CNMI to ensure the future of the sport in the islands.

“We’ve got to make sure that these younger guys get involved and take a vested interest in the league so that they will carry on the traditions of the league when we are gone,” said Blanco.

Taking advantage of the young talent of the CNMI may prove to be a solid direction, as there are a finite number of players from which to construct a team. After the formation of the Shell Chiefs sapped talented players from the Miller Barbarians, Verizon Nitro, Tinian Typhoon, and the former Budweiser Predators, the other teams need to look for new resources to fill their skill positions.

Officials are hoping to add new teams to the league next season to provide for more competition, as well as a pool of equally talented teams. One of the major changes to the league will be the addition of an unnamed team by Blanco.

Still unclear is whether or not Blanco will be able to retain his position as CFL chair. After receiving praise from CFL commissioner Jesse Stein for a job well done in 2004, Blanco aims to continue to help the league progress in coming seasons, and he would like to keep his position with the board to do so.

“That will be up to the league, but this has always been a players league, and I think that having players on the board can only help. It would only be an issue if people thought that there would be any bias—which would not be a problem.”

The CFL will turn five years old next season when the teams take to the gridiron, but where they take the field is still up in the air. While the CPA Airport field has satisfied the needs of the league in recent years, the facility at the Oleai Sports Complex should be ready to host its first games next fall. In addition to providing a new venue for players to showcase their talents, the Oleai facility will be able to offer evening games under the lights—sparing players from the baking rays of the Saipan sun.

If you are interested in getting more information about the CFL or becoming a player, contact Blanco by calling either 483-3517 or 288-2639.