Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said Monday that his proposed National Academy of Sports for High School (NASHS) will offer scholarship to athletic students and develop them into professional athletes.

“Para din kayong nag-aaral ng high school, kaya lang may curriculum po na kasama na rin po ’yung pagiging atleta ninyo. Magiging iskolar po kayo. Suportado po ito ng DepEd (Department of Education) at kasama rin po ang PSC (Philippine Sports Commission),” Go told public high school students competing in the Philippine Youth Games–Batang Pinoy 2019 National Championships at the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex in Puerto Princesa City.

“Ang curriculum nito ay may special emphasis sa physical education at sports development. Makakatulong ang ganitong eskwelahan sa pagpaplano sa future career ng ating mga kabataan na nagnanais na maging professional athletes,” Go said.

“Sa pamamagitan din ng NASHS at iba pang programa, hangad kong mas mapahusay natin ang research at development ng sports science sa Pilipinas para masigurong tuloy-tuloy ang ating pag-unlad sa larangan ng sports,” he added.

Go’s Senate Bill No. 397 establishes the NASHS in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac where the government is currently building a 50-hectare sports complex that contains a stadium, an aquatic center, national sports training center and athletes village.

Go’s Senate Bill No. 397 establishes the NASHS in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac where the government is currently building a 50-hectare sports complex. (NCC)

“Naroon na lahat sa New Clark City ang mga pasilidad. Habang nagti-training ka, di mo iiwanan ang iyong pag-aaral. Ang hirap kasi ngayon, habang nag-aaral ka, athlete ka pa, napapalayo ka sa iyong training. So, sa sports academy, iha-house sila sa isang building, condominium. Nag-aaral sila while training.”

He described the school as a groundbreaking project for student athletes.

“Sa ngayon kasi, wala tayong school na primarily nakatutok sa mga atleta. So ibig sabihin, bata ka pa may potensiyal ka at gusto mo mag-aral, in time, tuturuan ka sa larangan ng palakasan.”

Go told reporters that he is hoping for NASHS to become a reality in two years. He said he has also met with stakeholders, including the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) which handles the land where the academy will be built on.

“Sa ngayon, na-file na po ito. Pinag-aralan na namin. Nagkaroon po kami ng initial meeting with DepEd, PSC, BCDA (Bases Conversion and Development Authority), para sa building, sa lote at sa mga pasilidad. Most likely, within the next two years, maisakatuparan na po ito at magkakaroon na tayo ng kauna-unahang sports academy,” the Senator said.

He clarified the NASHS will admit Grade 7 to Grade 12 students, but the number of students is yet to be discussed with DepEd.

Meanwhile, Go reminded the Batang Pinoy Finals competitors to stay away from drugs.

“Huwag po kayong tumikim ng droga. Kayo ang future natin. Kapag pumasok kayo diyan, wala na, sira na ang inyong pamilya,” he said.

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