Lanao del Norte officials visited the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in New Clark City to explore the possibility of establishing a satellite campus at the Mindanao Civic Center (MCC) in Tubod.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio personally toured Lanao del Norte Congresswoman Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo and Provincial Administrator Lyndon Calica through NAS’ state-of-the-art facilities as the delegation benchmarked the academy’s athlete dormitories as models for similar facilities to be constructed at MCC.

“The NAS is designed to nurture the finest grassroots athletes and prepare them to become medal-winning national athletes. Replicating such a facility in Mindanao will give young athletes from the region the same opportunities to reach their dreams without having to leave home too early,” Gregorio said.

The academy, dedicated to discovering and developing the country’s finest high school athletes, provides a clear pathway for promising talents from the elementary and secondary levels to advance into elite national athletes and eventually represent the Philippines in international competitions.

Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara serves as chairman of the National Academy of Sports (NAS), with Gregorio as vice chairman of its board of directors under the leadership of NAS executive director Prof. Francis Diaz.

“A satellite NAS campus at the Mindanao Civic Center will be a game-changer for our youth. It will open doors for Mindanao athletes to train, study, and dream of representing the country in international competitions,’’ Quibranza-Dimaporo said.

“This is about giving them hope and a clear pathway to success,” she added.

NAS deputy executive director Emil Arroyo led the NAS campus tour of Lanao del Norte officials.

Calica, representing Lanao Del Norte Governor Mohamad Khalid, confirmed that the province will host the first-ever Mindanao Youth Games on 11-17 April 2027 at the MCC.

The event will gather thousands of athletes 18 years old and younger from 33 cities across six Mindanao regions, with Timor Leste joining as a guest team.

Competitions will span 12 to 15 sports, including football, athletics, swimming, basketball, volleyball, archery, tennis, combat sports, and weightlifting.