Aligned with the vision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a Bagong Pilipinas to strengthen grassroots sports development, the National Academy of Sports (NAS) produced its first batch of Grade 10 completers, marking a major milestone since the institution’s establishment in 2020 through Republic Act No. 11470.
The ceremony, attended by Senator Pia Cayetano, DepEd Undersecretary for Operations Malcolm Garma; Richard Bachmann, Vice Chairperson of the NAS Board of Trustees; and representatives of Senators Win Gatchalian and Bong Go, celebrated the academic and athletic achievements of the pioneer batch of student-athletes.
In a message delivered on behalf of Education Secretary and NAS Board Chairperson Sonny Angara, Garma congratulated the completers for embodying the unique promise of NAS.
“Today, you crossed your first finish line. But the race is far from over. And the world is watching.”
“You have shown the nation that excellence in academics and sports is not a trade-off but a powerful combination,” the message read. “Today, you crossed your first finish line. But the race is far from over. And the world is watching.”
Angara, a longtime sports advocate and one of the principal authors of the law that created NAS, envisioned the institution as a launchpad for grassroots talent and Filipino sporting excellence through world-class training and holistic education.
“We see proof today that the vision is not just alive, but running strong.”
“We see proof today that the vision is not just alive, but running strong,” the message added.
The education chief also paid tribute to iconic Filipino athletes who paved the way for today’s generation of champions. He cited Teófilo Yldefonso, the first Southeast Asian Olympic medalist known as the “Ilocano Shark,” who defied the odds during a time of limited support for athletes. Yldefonso, legacy is now memorialized in the logo of the upcoming 2025 Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Norte.
Angara also honored Filipino Olympic gold medalists Hidilyn Diaz and Carlos Yulo, whose historic performances continue to inspire young Filipino athletes to dream bigger and train harder.
NAS hopes to nurture the next generation of such trailblazers. Since its launch, the academy has made notable strides in competitive sports. Recently, 42 NAS Tankers brought home multiple gold medals from national competitions. NAS table tennis players also earned medals at the World Table Tennis Youth Contender Series, showcasing the institution’s growing international presence.
The academy has also been competing as a separate delegation in the Palarong Pambansa since last year. As the 2025 edition of the Palaro approaches in Ilocos Norte, NAS eyes a stronger performance and greater representation, signaling its readiness to elevate the level of competition in local school sports.
Officials also recognized the efforts of NAS Executive Director Josephine Reyes and the teaching and coaching staff for building a strong foundation that supports student-athletes in both their academic and athletic journeys.
The National Academy of Sports is a government-run institution and an attached agency of the Department of Education, offering a secondary education program with a special curriculum designed for student-athletes.
Its establishment is part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen grassroots sports development in the country.
