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| The National Academy of Sports is set to open this August at the New Clark City Sports Complex where the institution will be standing. (Image Source: Philippine News Agency) |
With its inaugural school year set to start on August, the National Academy of Sports (NAS) will offer and eventually grant full scholarships in secondary education to talented and deserving Filipino student-athletes. Created through Republic Act No. 11470, the NAS was institutionalized to recognize and develop exceptionally talented students from all sectors including indigenous people, persons with disabilities (PWD) and other marginalized sectors. Pursuant to the law, the NAS System is an attached institution of the Department of Education (DepEd) in close coordination with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
During the premiere episode of Usapang DepEd Sports Season 2, NAS Executive Director Josephine Joy Reyes gave an overview of the institution's enhanced secondary program in sports. “NAS will provide full scholarship upon entry at Grade 7 or in Junior High Schools up to Grade 12. They will also be given reasonable monthly stipend, free board and lodging, as well as school and training uniforms,” Reyes said. She added, “NAS will also provide them exposure to compete internationally and represent the country in qualified sports competitions. With their athletic performance during their stay in the school system, pwede rin silang maging exchange students so their talents will be honed even more." Moreover, the newly-established sports institution will also prioritize the academic performance of the young athletes as NAS will implement a holistically enhanced sports curriculum.
“We are having a National Academy of Sports for those who want to take up sports not only as something they do as they are growing up, but also as a profession, as a way of learning more about the science of the body. The virtues of honesty and sportsmanship will also be developed at the NAS," said DepEd Secretary Hon. Leonor M. Briones. Meanwhile, NAS OIC-Assistant Secretary Malcolm Garma noted that the Usapang DepEd Sports talk show spearheaded by DepEd's Bureau of Learner Support Services - School Sports Division (BLSS-SSD) aims to strengthen the involvement of learners in sports discussions. These discussions about various topics in sports will help stakeholders in understanding the policies and programs of DepEd school sports, sports science and sports medicine among others.
