Chelsea coaches bat for more clinics

Chelsea FC Soccer School’s Leslie George Santos and Kwon On “David” Tsui suggested that holding a lot of clinics and training more coaches are the best ways to elevate the skills of CNMI players.

“The skills and interests are there, but the level of play is not that high and that’s understandable because I believe football in the CNMI is just starting to grow,” said Tsui, the head coach of Chelsea FC Soccer School based in Hong Kong.

Tsui led the second day of the three-day clinic on Thursday afternoon at the Oleai Sports Complex Field and met with the boys U18 and adults players from various clubs.

“It will take time to have these players improve their skills and to do that, they should be exposed to more clinics. More coaches should also be recruited to implement the program,” added Tsui, who is a former Hong Kong national player.

Santos shared Tsui’s observation and encouraged players, especially the new ones, to keep their interest in the sport.

“I asked one of the players which sport she enjoys. She said basketball. It’s okay to play multiple sports, but if you want to be a good football player, you have to love the sport and focus on it,” Santos, a former star player in Hong Kong and is now the technical director of Chelsea FC Soccer School.

Santos held a clinic for the girls U18 and women’s players of the various local clubs also on Thursday afternoon and liked the attitude of the participants.

“They were very receptive and respectful and that’s how players should act. It means they are interested to learn new things and trusted the coaches. Some even told me it was their first time to learn these kinds of drills and they enjoyed them,” Santos said.

“I wished we have more time to teach them because they need more clinics and coaches. With continuous training and guidance from trained coaches, I believe we will hear a lot of good news from CNMI football,” the two-time Football of the Year awardee.

Santos and Tsui and technical director Luam Khen Koo concluded their series of clinics last night through a session with the coaches of the six clubs on Saipan. Today, the group will head to the TSL Sports Complex in Middle Road for the opening of the Saipan Soccer School and tomorrow it will cap its Saipan trip with a friendly game against selected players at the Oleai pitch.