Tan, Izuka reelected; Bogdan keeps post

Three pillars of CNMI soccer were reelected to their respective posts, embracing the opportunity to continue their leadership roles in the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association.

Jerry Tan was voted anew as NMIFA president during last Friday’s 10th Ordinary Congress held at the Hibiscus Hall of the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, while Vickie Izuka was reelected vice president and CNMI Superior Court Associate Judge Wesley Bogdan retained his seat on the NMIFA Executive Committee, joining incumbent Norman Del Rosario and Catherine Attao-Toves.

“I would like to thank everyone for you vote of confidence and more importantly for you continued contribution to the development of our sport in the CNMI in the last 10-plus years. Our clubs, the coaches, game officials, the players and their parents, the NMIFA staff, and the community have worked together to bring CNMI football to where it is right now—an organized sport that provides opportunities for everyone, especially for our youth players. Through your support we are able to use the sport of soccer as a tool make a difference in the community and the lives of the people that live here, especially at these difficult times,” Tan said.

Izuka, on the other hand, acknowledged the unwavering support that NMIFA gets from its football family in the region, giving the association the means to strengthen its program and reach out to more people in the community. She thanked the Asian Football Confederation, the East Asian Football Federation, Guam Football Association, Japan Football Association, and NMIFA’s numerous donors through the years.

“We are overwhelmed and encouraged by the support from everyone as we continue this journey and work harder to make more milestones,” Izuka added.

Yosuke Mihara and Choe Nam Hyok of the AFC’s Member Association and Regional Associations Department witnessed Tan and Izuka’s reelection as they attended the 10th Ordinary Congress virtually and the two guests assured NMIFA that AFC will continue to assist the federation in the development of CNMI soccer and other related projects.

Choe also lauded NMIFA for its transparency and professionalism in managing its programs and took note of the local association’s deep commitment to the community as seen in the activities and projects the FA got involved with in the past few years.

Meanwhile, Tan acknowledged the challenges that NMIFA and its programs are facing at this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, but he said they will try to find ways to slowly get back into action while still giving priority to the safety of the players and other stakeholders. NMIFA, since June has resumed training sessions of the national teams with emphasis on strict compliance to precautionary measures against the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Games in all leagues, on the other hand, are still suspended, including off-island matches, while coaches’ education continued.

Izuka and Bogdan echoed Tan’s sentiments and encouraged everyone to continue practicing safety measures so we can finally flatten the curve to focus on recovery from this crisis and go back to our usual activities, including playing soccer with no restrictions.

“There are no better things to see than watching kids getting back to the pitch, playing, and improving their skills, developing great attitudes, and enjoying themselves. We are all here doing these activities and taking part in this program for our children and for our community,” Bogdan said.