THE Northern Mariana Islands Football Association is sending the NMI U15 Men’s National Soccer Team to Qingdao, China to compete in the East Asia Football Federation U15 Men’s Championships in September.
On Monday, a send-off ceremony for the team was hosted by the NMIFA at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.
The team consists of Terrel Kileleman-Hix, Taiga Namai-Scoggins, Aiden Camacho, Jayson Tagabuel, Michael Miller, Arstin Tagabuel, Mark Costales, Chan Woong Yeom, Chan Seo Yeom, Paul Lizama, Rooney Gil, Kian Estolas, Akoni Matsumoto, Bennet Haro, Bennetton Haro, Gaius Ranada, Yutaka Kadokura, Nolan Ngewakl, Moshe Sikkel, Edward Arriola III, head coach Michiteru Mita, assistant coaches Jireh Yobech and Konomi Suzuki, physical therapist Hazel Mabasa, team manager Mikky Vargas, and assistant team manager Khristelle Itaas.
The team captains are Mark Costales and Nolan Ngewekl.
“It’s a great honor to represent our flag and fight for our island,” Costales said. “On behalf of me and our team, we would like to give a thank you to our parents, [executive committee] members, NMIFA staff, and coaches for their countless hours,” he added.
“We will try our best and fight our hardest to get results from this competition,” Ngewakl said.
Head coach Mita, in his remarks, said: “The game is not only about the players, but they also need coaches, referees, and facilities…. You guys inspire these kids to play soccer. So we continue to try and make them strong and compete at an international level. Our objective is to build a strong foundation. We will do our best.”
The NMI will face Mongolia on Sept. 1; Macau on Sept. 2; Korea on Sept. 3; and China on Sept. 4.
The games will be played at the Qingdao Youth Football Stadium and the Qingdao Citizen Fitness Center.
According to NMIFA President Jerry Tan, “We are in a group that allows our boys to play more games. The more games we play, the more we learn and gain experience.”
He added, “The opponents that the NMI will be playing against are the national teams of their countries. As you know, some of them are World Cup teams — that’s the level of competition that our boys will be able to experience.”
Tan said the NMI has proven “that we have what it takes to win. It did not happen easily and/or overnight, it took years.”
“Every send-off ceremony, to me, is a milestone,” Tan added. “I’m really happy to see our boys sitting here. Many of you will be playing in the next Marianas Cup within the next two to three years.”
For her part, NMIFA Executive Committee Member Catherine Attao-Toves told the NMI players to “really embrace the opportunity and experience that you will receive. Take note of those who have international experience and exposure. I really want to wish you the best — we are proud of you.”
The NMI U15 National Soccer Team members pose for a photo during a send-off ceremony hosted by the NMI Football Association on Monday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.
Head coach Michiteru Mita speaks during a send-off ceremony hosted by the NMI Football Association on Monday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.
