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NMIFA men start this weekend
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Posted on Dec 06 2006
The world’s most popular sport will get plenty of play this weekend as the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association crowns a women’s champion and welcomes its first men’s league at the American Memorial Park.
According to NMIFA director and Men’s League organizer Vince Stravino, seven teams will be competing in the inaugural season of sanctioned men’s soccer on Saipan, which was a pleasant surprise.
“Initially, NMIFA was hoping for four teams to have an inaugural season, but the interest in the league was close to overwhelming,” said Stravino.
Soccer in the CNMI has expanded far beyond the expectations of the organizers and Stravino said that it bodes well for the future of the sport locally.
“We are very humbled and excited by the interest shown by so many players and diverse groups on the island for this project. It demonstrates the kind of interest people here have for the sport of soccer and the need for organized programs,” added Stravino.
The season kicks off with its first three games this weekend when Saipan interfaces Korean One at 2pm followed by Alliance against L&S/Kyung-Seung at 3:15pm. The finale takes place at 4:30pm between PTI and the Independents, and the seventh team will get a bye as Real Mariana will size up the competition the first weekend.
The season will continue through January and culminates with the season-ending tournament at Hopwood Junior High School on Feb. 4.
