CNMI WNT Players help at Youth Camp

Sports

Monday, July 27, 2009

NMIFA completes kids clinic

By Roselyn Monroyo
Reporter

Northern Mariana Islands Football Association concluded its five-day kids clinic last Friday with around 50 children learning the basics of sport at the Oleai Sports Complex Field.

The clinic, which started last Monday, drew participants in 10-and-under age groups and had CNMI National coach and NMIFA technical director Sugao Kambe as instructor. Kambe was assisted by CNMI players Brenda Schultz, Patricia Coleman, and Michico Tenorio.

Kambe said the 8-and-under age group attracted the most participants with 18. Fifteen kids attended the five-day clinic for the 6-and-under age group, while the 10-and-under age group had 16 participants.

Each age group had separate sessions and Kambe and company introduced different topics per session.

In the 6-and-under age group, Kambe spent the Monday session of the clinic on introducing the sport and emphasizing that the ball is the players' friend. In the second day, kids were taught how to play the ball and on the third day, they learned about the goal. The penultimate day of the clinic focused on teaching kids the value of team work and after learning the basic of the sport, they were given an opportunity to play a couple of games in the last day.

For the 8 and 10-and-under participants, Monday's session also evolved on introduction to football. In the second day, they learned how to dribble and feint. Wednesday's session was about kicking and heading, while Thurday's featured trapping, receiving, and throwing in drills. In the last day of the clinic, participants were taught to score.

“From the looks on their faces, I can say that the kids truly enjoyed the clinic. They had fun and at the same time learned a few tips on how to play the game,” Kambe said.

“I hope they will continue to enjoy the game and play in future tournaments,” the CNMI coach added.

NMIFA is holding various tournaments for kids every year. A few months ago, it hosted the 2009 NMIFA Youth Football Festival, which drew a record of more than 500 players.

These players came from the five football clubs on the island, namely the Matansa Football Club, Independent FC, MP United, Tan Holdings FC, and Paire Football Club.