FIFA decision could come in June

The Northern Mariana Islands Football (Soccer) Association’s application to become a member of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association would be decided as early as June during the FIFA Congress in Germany.

This was relayed by East Asian Football Federation general secretary Takeo Okada in an interview with Saipan Tribune yesterday.

“Hopefully, that decision would come in June. NMIFA applied for FIFA membership in November 2005. FIFA would then consider the application and then instruct the Asian Football Confederation to review it as well, maybe even send an inspection team to Saipan, and if everything is up to standard, NMIFA would become an associate member. After two years, and if NMIFA is in good standing, it will be granted full membership by FIFA,” he said.

Okada, who along with eight other football officials from Guam, Korea, Macau, China, and Guam attended the inauguration of Gov. Bengino R. Fitial Monday, also took a look at potential soccer venues all over the island.

He said Saipan is in a good position to develop the sport because it has good weather all year round as well as a lot of potential venues for the sport.

“There are a lot of suitable soccer pitches around the island and NMIFA is very fortunate about that. In Macau, for instance, they only have three or four pitches because of limited space. Mostly there are hotels, buildings, etc. So, compared to Macau, Saipan is much better,” he said.

Facilities the group inspected yesterday morning and afternoon included American Memorial Park, Hopwood Junior High School, Airport Field, and the Oleai Sports Complex.

He also applauded the enthusiasm of the people behind NMIFA.

“NMIFA and its board seem to be very motivated on the challenge of building a soccer association out of scratch. I’m so happy that they are greatly devoted to the sport of soccer,” he added.

The EAFF currently has nine member associations, namely federations from Okada’s home country of Japan, China, South Korea, North Korea, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Macau, Chinese-Taipei, and Guam.

Okada said he could no longer keep tabs on how many soccer players EAFF has under its umbrella. He said in China alone, there reportedly are over 500 million men, women, boys, and girls playing the sport.

EAFF was established in May 28, 2002, just before the start of the World Cup co-hosted by East Asian soccer rivals Japan and South Korea.