Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has welcomed the creation of the National Academy of Sports (NAS) saying it is a dream come true for the nation that aspires to produce excellent Filipino athletes.
Go joined President Duterte in the inspection of the National Academy of Sports on Tuesday, June 14, in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac. In his speech, the President said it was Go’s dream to establish a sports complex in the country to facilitate the training while providing quality education for aspiring athletes.
Go admitted it and said that developing excellent athletes who can bring pride to the country requires the collective effort of the entire nation as good athletes do not arise out of nowhere.
He said years of training are required, with a whole-of-nation approach to ensure their welfare.
“Kaya naman masaya po ako sa pagtatatag ng paaralang ito na magbibigay ng pagkakataon sa kanila na magtraining at malinang ang kanilang mga kakayahan (That is why I am happy over the construction of this school that will give them a chance to be trained), not only as athletes but as productive members of society,” Go said.
It was Go who authored and co-sponsored a bill in the Senate which became Republic Act No. 11470 in 2020. The law provided for the establishment of the NAS System and Main Campus.
The NAS also offers a secondary education program with an integrated special curriculum on sports which was developed in close coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
The NAS is equipped with world-class sports facilities, housing and other amenities on par with international standards.
There is also enough number of classrooms and other facilities have also been built at the complex to provide a conducive learning environment for all the students.
The academy also provides services of licensed and internationally-certified foreign coaches, trainers and consultants, duly certified by the PSC, to ensure the international competitiveness of the student-athletes.