Federated States of Micronesia Football Association
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The Federated States of Micronesia Football Association or FSMFA is the governing body of
football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly c ...
in the
Federated States of Micronesia The Federated States of Micronesia (; abbreviated FSM) is an island country in Oceania. It consists of four states from west to east, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosraethat are spread across the western Pacific. Together, the states comprise a ...
, and of the
national team A national sports team (commonly known as a national team or a national side) is a team that represents a nation, rather than a particular club or region, in an international sport. The term is most commonly associated with team sports, for exa ...
. They are not an associate member of
FIFA FIFA (; stands for ''Fédération Internationale de Football Association'' ( French), meaning International Association Football Federation ) is the international governing body of association football, beach football and futsal. It was found ...
.


History


1992-1996: Early years

Football (soccer) Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 players who primarily use their feet to propel the ball around a rectangular field called a pitch. The objective of the game is ...
has been played in the Federated States of Micronesia informally, and at the school level, for over 20 years. It was not until 1992 that a serious attempt was made to improve the level of organized play in the country, especially among the indigenous populations of the states that make up the Federated States of Micronesia. This was accomplished by the introduction of the sport among people of all ages. In
Pohnpei Pohnpei "upon (''pohn'') a stone altar (''pei'')" (formerly known as Ponape or Ascension, Proto-Chuukic-Pohnpeic: ''*Fawo ni pei)'' is an island of the Senyavin Islands which are part of the larger Caroline Islands group. It belongs to Pohnpei ...
, a football league was started culminating with periodic statewide tournaments. In Yap, a single club team was started with matches scheduled with teams from visiting ships. In Kosrae, a league especially for younger children was formed. Three years ago the
Federated States of Micronesia The Federated States of Micronesia (; abbreviated FSM) is an island country in Oceania. It consists of four states from west to east, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosraethat are spread across the western Pacific. Together, the states comprise a ...
was admitted into the Oceania Division of the
International Olympic Committee The International Olympic Committee (IOC; french: link=no, Comité international olympique, ''CIO'') is a non-governmental sports organisation based in Lausanne, Switzerland. It is constituted in the form of an association under the Swiss ...
. However, under the charter of the
National Olympic Committee A National Olympic Committee (NOC) is a national constituent of the worldwide Olympic movement. Subject to the controls of the International Olympic Committee, NOCs are responsible for organizing their people's participation in the Olympic Games ...
, they could not devote any funds to football development until the international governing body for football, namely
FIFA FIFA (; stands for ''Fédération Internationale de Football Association'' ( French), meaning International Association Football Federation ) is the international governing body of association football, beach football and futsal. It was found ...
, recognizes the program. Consequently, the football programs that have been developed have come about as a result of donations from the private sector in the states, and more recently, through the assistance of the Federated States of Micronesia Football Association. There are approximately 150 adult players in the
Federated States of Micronesia The Federated States of Micronesia (; abbreviated FSM) is an island country in Oceania. It consists of four states from west to east, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosraethat are spread across the western Pacific. Together, the states comprise a ...
; approximately 500 youth players, three volunteer referees and five amateur coaches. None of the players, coaches or referees are professional. There are no professional clubs in the country. There are amateur club teams that play within three of the four states of the country (Chuuk, Pohnpei and Yap). The fourth state, Kosrae, plays football only in an unorganized fashion. Owing to the great distance between the four states that make up the
Federated States of Micronesia The Federated States of Micronesia (; abbreviated FSM) is an island country in Oceania. It consists of four states from west to east, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosraethat are spread across the western Pacific. Together, the states comprise a ...
, there has not yet been a competition between clubs from different states. However, the inclusion of football in the 3rd FSM games held in
Yap Yap ( yap, Waqaab) traditionally refers to an island group located in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean, a part of Yap State. The name "Yap" in recent years has come to also refer to the state within the Federated States of Micr ...
in July 2001 offered the opportunity for the state teams to compete against each other. At present, there are five fields in the country that are of sufficient size and quality that can be used for matches. The two best ones are in
Yap Yap ( yap, Waqaab) traditionally refers to an island group located in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean, a part of Yap State. The name "Yap" in recent years has come to also refer to the state within the Federated States of Micr ...
. The FSM is fortunate that a sophisticated sports complex was built in
Yap Yap ( yap, Waqaab) traditionally refers to an island group located in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean, a part of Yap State. The name "Yap" in recent years has come to also refer to the state within the Federated States of Micr ...
for the FSM Games. The complex includes a regulation-size football field, complete with covered stands and lights for night games.


1996-1998: International recognition

A team from Yap was invited to participate in the
Micronesian Games The Micronesian Games (or Micro Games, MicroGames) are a quadrennial international multi-sport event within the Micronesian region. The Games were first held in 1969 in Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands). The 2010 Micronesian Games were initially d ...
that were held in the Republic of
Palau Palau,, officially the Republic of Palau and historically ''Belau'', ''Palaos'' or ''Pelew'', is an island country and microstate in the western Pacific. The nation has approximately 340 islands and connects the western chain of the Caro ...
in August 1998. Given that it was their first international event, and that the Yap team were mostly young boys ages 14 – 21, they won two of their six games played. In attendance at the Micronesian Games were two professional
FIFA FIFA (; stands for ''Fédération Internationale de Football Association'' ( French), meaning International Association Football Federation ) is the international governing body of association football, beach football and futsal. It was found ...
referees, sent to
Palau Palau,, officially the Republic of Palau and historically ''Belau'', ''Palaos'' or ''Pelew'', is an island country and microstate in the western Pacific. The nation has approximately 340 islands and connects the western chain of the Caro ...
from the
Japan Football Association The Japan Football Association (JFA, ) is the governing body responsible for the administration of football, futsal, beach soccer and efootball in Japan. It is responsible for the national team, as well as club competitions. History The organisat ...
(they had both recently come from attending and participating in the
1998 FIFA World Cup The 1998 FIFA World Cup was the 16th FIFA World Cup, the football world championship for men's national teams. The finals tournament was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. The country was chosen as the host nation by FIFA for the ...
held in France). They encouraged the
Federated States of Micronesia The Federated States of Micronesia (; abbreviated FSM) is an island country in Oceania. It consists of four states from west to east, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosraethat are spread across the western Pacific. Together, the states comprise a ...
to apply for
FIFA FIFA (; stands for ''Fédération Internationale de Football Association'' ( French), meaning International Association Football Federation ) is the international governing body of association football, beach football and futsal. It was found ...
accreditation.


1999-2003: Formation Of FSMFA

In January 1999, the Federated States of Micronesia Football Association (FSMFA) was formed. The FSMFA functions to guide all aspects of football development in the country. Its members are state football associations, football clubs and football organizations within the Federated States of Micronesia.


2004-2006: Early FSMFA

The leadership of the association was invited by
FIFA FIFA (; stands for ''Fédération Internationale de Football Association'' ( French), meaning International Association Football Federation ) is the international governing body of association football, beach football and futsal. It was found ...
to attend the 52nd Ordinary
FIFA FIFA (; stands for ''Fédération Internationale de Football Association'' ( French), meaning International Association Football Federation ) is the international governing body of association football, beach football and futsal. It was found ...
Congress in Zurich,
Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...
, held 4–5 August 2000. At the congress, FSMFA and
FIFA FIFA (; stands for ''Fédération Internationale de Football Association'' ( French), meaning International Association Football Federation ) is the international governing body of association football, beach football and futsal. It was found ...
officials met to discuss the status of the FSMFA's application for membership. In the meantime, the FSMFA is concentrating on the further development of football in all four FSM states. It hopes to sponsor a training course for coaches as well as referees in the four states. Building upon the recent enthusiasm generated at the FSM Games, plans are underway to initiate the formation of teams for girls and women in
Yap Yap ( yap, Waqaab) traditionally refers to an island group located in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean, a part of Yap State. The name "Yap" in recent years has come to also refer to the state within the Federated States of Micr ...
,
Pohnpei Pohnpei "upon (''pohn'') a stone altar (''pei'')" (formerly known as Ponape or Ascension, Proto-Chuukic-Pohnpeic: ''*Fawo ni pei)'' is an island of the Senyavin Islands which are part of the larger Caroline Islands group. It belongs to Pohnpei ...
and Chuuk. In 2006, the FSMFA was recognized as a possible future associate member of the
Oceania Football Confederation The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) is one of the six continental confederations of international association football. The OFC has 13 members, 11 of which are full members and two which are associate members not affiliated with FIFA. It ...
.


Champions in 2021

Nimgil were crowned champions in 2021.


References


External links


FSMFA official website
(Revised: July 12, 2002) {{OFC associations Football in the Federated States of Micronesia Sports organizations established in 1999 1999 establishments in the Federated States of Micronesia