President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Education (DepEd) to intensify the promotion and development of sports nationwide.
The directive follows the President’s recent inspection of the state-of-the-art National Academy of Sports (NAS) facilities located within the New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara highlighted the President’s vision to showcase these world-class amenities to the public, signaling a robust support system for homegrown talent.
“The President wants to impress upon the public that we have facilities like this. If we have talented athletes in our respective provinces, they can be brought here to truly hone their skills,” Secretary Angara said during an interview following the inspection.
Angara emphasized that providing structured, elite-level support is critical to unlocking the potential of young Filipinos, drawing parallels to international tennis star Alex Eala. “Because she was given the right coaching and support, she excelled. The President’s message is that we must not waste our potential; we must nurture it. This is a dedicated facility solely for our athletes, allowing them to train without having to share space with the general public.”
During the visit, Angara noted that the President was highly pleased with the NAS campus, which draws inspiration from the Philippine High School for the Arts established during the administration of his late father.
As part of the administration’s broader commitment to athletic excellence, Angara announced that DepEd is set to establish 100 new sports clubs and facilities nationwide, funded through the Office of the President and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Beyond athletic achievement, Angara noted that strengthening sports programs will provide a positive outlet for youth. “Instead of being plugged into computer games, physical activity is highly beneficial for our youth,” Angara added, addressing recent concerns regarding school violence.
NAS Executive Director Associate Professor Francis Carlos Diaz shared that the academy currently hosts 247 student-athletes, starting from Grade 7, who were scouted as standout performers from the elementary division of the Palarong Pambansa (National Games).
“Most, if not all, were recruited from different provinces and regions,” Diaz said. “When they are here, we develop them by providing top-tier resources for their athletic growth while ensuring they enjoy a holistic, quality secondary education. The support ecosystem here is massive and stands apart from standard school sports programs.”
Looking ahead, Diaz revealed that the academy is fulfilling its legal mandate to expand regionally. Guidelines are currently being finalized to establish the next NAS campuses in the Visayas and Mindanao regions within the next five years.
Furthermore, Secretary Angara expressed that several local government units and provinces are planning to establish their own localized sports academies, which will actively link up with the main NAS network for streamlined training and coaching methodologies.
The National Academy of Sports remains at the forefront of the government’s grassroots sports program, transforming promising young talent into future international champions.
