Senator Win Gatchalian said the creation of the National Academy of Sports (NAS) which aims to develop sports in the country has been boosted by the ratification by Congress of a bicameral conference committee.
Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, headed the bicameral conference which reconciled differences in the Senate and in the House of Representatives proposals. The bicam agreement seeks the creation and establishment of the NAS, which will institutionalize an educational system within the framework of a national sustainable sports program.
The NAS will be implementing a quality and enhanced secondary education program, with a special curriculum on sports. This program will be geared towards early recognition and development of talented students, especially those who have shown potential to excel in sports. The curriculum’s design will consider the students’ training needs while providing for holistic quality education.
“We want to support aspiring athletes at the earliest possible opportunities.”
“Through the National Academy of Sports, we are institutionalizing mechanisms, fundamentals, and government support to instill excellence among our athletes, who are a source of both national pride and unity for our country. We want to support aspiring athletes at the earliest possible opportunities so we would look for those who have the potential and train them in world-class facilities,” said the veteran legislator.
“We are also giving importance to how aspiring athletes can achieve academic excellence while preparing them for stellar performances in the world stage.”
“We are also giving importance to how these aspiring athletes can achieve academic excellence while preparing them for stellar performances in the world stage,” the seasoned lawmaker added.
The senator also thanked the bill’s co-authors and co-sponsors: Senators Sonny Angara, Bong Go, and Pia Cayetano for pushing the measure’s passage.
The bill eyes the establishment of the academy’s main campus at the existing New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac, which will be constructed by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). This will give the students priority access to facilities at the New Clark City Sports Complex. The proposal also mandates the organization of future nationally-funded regional high schools for sports.
The NAS will be attached to the Department of Education (DepEd), in close coordination with the Philippine Sports Commission PSC). The incumbent Secretary will be the Chairperson of the academy’s Board of Trustees. An Executive Director, as appointed by the DepEd Secretary, will head the NAS and will be responsible for the academy’s administration and operation. The bill gives preference to an Executive Director who hails from the field of sports.