Chelsea coaches complete mission

The two officials from Chelsea FC Soccer School-Hong Kong completed their six-week stay on Saipan and are positive that their partnership with Saipan Soccer School will continue.

Chelsea FC Soccer School technical director Luam Khen Koo and coach Jimmy Tang will return to Hong Kong this morning after helping Saipan Soccer School conduct a free summer camp for about two months. The two visiting officials worked with Saipan Soccer School camp directors Jershwin Angeles Ruselle Zapanta in teaching the basics of the sport and honing the skills of youth players in the U8, U10, and U15 age groups.

Koo and Tang also had sessions with local coaches and conducted workouts, too, with the members of the CNMI Women’s National Team.

Then from Monday to Wednesday, the two officials were at the TSL Sports Complex for the inaugural 2011 Saipan Soccer School Futsal League and Tang even played for Go Green in the men’s division. Tang will be leaving Go Green with a 3-2-2 win-loss-draw slate. He helped Go Green win its previous game last Wednesday against Mellow Yellow, 6-2.

“We are happy to help improve football in the CNMI. We are hopeful that Chelsea FC Soccer School-Hong Kong and Saipan Soccer School’s partnership will continue for years,” Koo said.

“We have plans of bringing in new coaches because you really need some to teach local coaches, who will then reach out to players, especially the young ones,” he added.

Koo sad he loves to see more people coming out to play the sport and he hopes when he returns to Saipan, he will see more new faces,” Koo said.

“One way on improving football in the CNMI is to encourage a lot of people to play the sport. I am happy to see people coming at the TSL Sports Complex at night during the futsal league. If you will continue to hold tournaments and attract more players, you will have a lot of people to train and these players will eventually become coaches and national players if given proper training,” the technical official said.

Koo also wishes that players from the CNMI will get a chance to visit their training facility in Hong Kong and work with their players and coaches.

For his part, Angeles said the Chelsea coaches presence here has a big impact on the CNMI soccer community.

“It was the first time that football coaches like them stayed here for more than a month. They taught us a lot and the knowledge they shared to us will be very helpful, as we open next month’s youth league and welcome new players. We can’t wait to meet the new coaches Chelsea will send to Saipan,” Angeles said.