MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Sports Commission yesterday welcomed Congress’ ratification of the bicameral conference committee report that seeks the establishment of the National Academy for Sports, saying it will certainly uplift the country’s grassroots development program.
“Anything that supports the development of sports in the country is a great boost to the country’s efforts to build deeper grassroots sports program, which feed our elite sports programs,” said PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez yesterday.
“Congratulations and thank you to both houses for the great work they have invested on this,” he added.
If eventually enacted into law, the NAS will institutionalize an educational system within the framework of the PSC’s goal of a nationally sustainable sports program.
It will also focus on the early detection and development of young athletes with recognizable potential to excell in his or her chosen sports since it will be part of the curriculum.
“It’s like hitting two birds with one stone. It affords the youth quality education while giving them world-class sports training,” PSC commissioner Ramon Fernandez, for his part, said.
The PSC is already making big strides in identifying talented kids, plucking them from the provinces and eventually helping develop them into future national team mainstays through its grassroots projects like the Batang Pinoy and Philippine National Games.
The arrival of the NAS institutionalizing sports into the curriculum will further enhance the country’s sports programs.