By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

NMI football coach Jeff “Ziggy” Korytoski is taking one step at a time as far as preparing the commonwealth’s men’s and women’s teams for big tournaments and the development of the sport on the island are concerned.
“We have a long way to go. Every day is a learning process and I am happy that they’ve been showing improvements,” said Korytoski, who has been training the NMI athletes for more than three weeks.
The men’s team is training for the East Asian Football Federation Championship playoff games against Guam.
The first qualifying game will be played on Guam on March 25, while Saipan will host the second and last trial on April 1. The winner of the qualifiers will compete in the East Asian tournament in Macao in June.
The women’s team will also face Guam for the inaugural Annual Guam/Saipan Inter-Island Cup in April.
“Right now, we are in the process of evaluating each player. Technically, they have a lot of things to learn. But I like the heart that they are showing during our training,” Korytoski said.
“Players are starting to get into shape and beginning to play as a team,” he added.
According to team manager Aaron Rath, right now, the men’s squad has 25 players. Only 18 will go to Guam.
Against Guam, Korytoski is not setting high expectations, as this will be the NMI’s first international tournament.
“It’s too soon to be putting numbers or expectations. What I want to see is for them to make a good representation of the CNMI against Guam. With only three weeks of training, we can not expect a big final product. It’s too early,” Korytoski said.
He added that he is looking for a long-term goal rather than a short-term one.
“What I am aiming for is to build a structure for the sport, have a good program especially for youth and get the community involved,” he said.
Korytoski hopes to see NMI youth watch the island’s games against Guam and be encouraged to play the sport and represent the commonwealth in future tournaments.
“I believe that when we put the right things in place, soccer in the CNMI will be successful,” said Korytoski, who will return to Ohio after the tournament in April.
Korytoski is an assistant coach at Wright State University.
He said that it is up to the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association whether he returns on Saipan to train the NMI athletes anew.
“I am happy to be here and work with these nice, and hard working players,” Korytoski said.
Rath said Korytoski is training people to continue what he has started when he leaves.
“Glen Smith is taking videos of the teams’ practices so we can continue with the training,” Rath said.