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.