The world\u2019s most popular sport will get plenty of play this weekend as the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association crowns a women\u2019s champion and welcomes its first men\u2019s league at the American Memorial Park. <\/p>\n
According to NMIFA director and Men\u2019s League organizer Vince Stravino, seven teams will be competing in the inaugural season of sanctioned men\u2019s soccer on Saipan, which was a pleasant surprise.<\/p>\n
\u201cInitially, NMIFA was hoping for four teams to have an inaugural season, but the interest in the league was close to overwhelming,\u201d said Stravino.<\/p>\n
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.
\n\u201cWe 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,\u201d added Stravino.
\nThe 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.
\nThe season will continue through January and culminates with the season-ending tournament at Hopwood Junior High School on Feb. 4.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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