Guam-A Different Perspective
I heard some great news last weekend-the Guam Football Association (GFA) is very close to the construction of a new artificial turf soccer field in Southern Guam. The village of Agat will be the beneficiary of the generosity of soccer's world governing body, FIFA and the GFA.
The proposed site-adjacent to the Agat Solid Waste Transfer Station-will feature the Island's fourth modern pitch and brings a world class facility to the area. This plan has been in the making for just over four years and will be a great addition to the island when complete. GFA and the Guam Department of Parks and Recreation recently signed an Memorandum of Understanding for this effort and legislation to solidify the construction is expected in the coming months.
As a soccer dad of kids from Southern Guam, this news reminds me of the importance of such to the growth of the game in the region. Other sports could only wish to have the kind of facilities young soccer players here have today. Nearly 40 years ago, the sport was relegated to a field in Tamuning where a handful of Korean construction workers and young Chinese and Chamorro boys emulated the play of the "Soccer God" at the time the legendary Edison Arantes do Nascimento better known as Pelé. Today a couple of thousand young people play the game. No problems with un-playable fields during inclement weather today-a pitch that is played on year round. Guam is ranked 79th in the FIFA Women's World Ranking with the Men's team holding the 179th spot.
Many across the Guam sporting scene are a bit jealous of the great facilities. Baseball, still considered the national sport of the island, has the Paseo Stadium. But the "Jewel of the Pacific" is in disrepair Basketball is huge in every village. But hoopsters have to deal with venues that are less than stellar. Mixed Martial Arts is on the rise thanks to our boys getting breaks with the UFC's The Ultimate Fighter and Bellator MMA, but the International Olympic Committee dropping Wrestling from the Olympic Program will have some direct impact on MMA in the years to come. Boxing, rugby and volleyball are being practiced with little to be done to grow their respective facilities further.
Modern sports facilities will certainly help grow sporting activities locally. They would also draw many from across the Pacific Rim to use them. These sporting enthusiasts want to practice their respective sport under our sun and blue skies all year round. Sports tourism continues to contribute to the surge in visitor arrival numbers and will be important towards the overall growth of the island's main economic driver. Nippon Professional and Korean Professional Baseball League Spring Training, J-League pre-Season Soccer Camps and international running and triathlon events continue to bring tourists to our shores each and every year. Creative ways to bring more to our sports federations and athletes will only mean more success in the international fields of competition.
The proposed GFA South Field is a great boost for "The Beautiful Game" played here. We should all get behind sports facility improvement where we can and give our kids a chance to take their game to heights never seen and to allow them to share their talents with others.