PSC lauds Senate, Congress for PH sports academy

The next generation of sports heroes is in good hands as the National Academy for Sports is now closer to reality.

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The PSC praised both the Senate and the Congress for finally ratifying the formation of the National Academy for Sports.

"The board is unanimous in saying that this is a welcome development," Chairman Butch Ramirez said in a statement on Tuesday.

On Monday night, both the upper and the lower houses, through a bicameral committee, finally ratified the creation of the NAS, which will provide full scholarship to high school students who are excelling in sports and can be groomed to become top national athletes in the future.

"Anything that supports the development of sports in the country is a great boost to the country's efforts to build a deeper grassroots sports program which feed our elite sports programs. Congratulations and thank you to both houses for the great work they have invested on this," Ramirez continued. "Thank you for recognizing the important role of sports in national development thereby working towards providing opportunities for our talented and sports-inclined youth to hone their talents further earlier in their life."

Commissioner Mon Fernandez, himself a former national athlete, then likened the said ratification to "hitting two birds with one stone."

"Affording our youth quality education and world class sports training is indeed a very commendable move to say the least. This will definitely propel, prepare and encourage our athletes to compete creditably in the world stage," added the PBA Hall of Famer and the first commissioner of the defunct MBA.

For Commissioner Charles Maxey, the ratification of the NAS, set to be built at the New Clark City in Capas, is a "needed boost" for Philippine sports.

"This now provides a clear direction for student athletes not only in their quest for sporting excellence but also in academic field. With this high school, student athletes will be properly guided in their chosen disciplines aside from enjoying the luxury of training in a world-class facility," he continued.

Prior to the bicameral committee ratification, bills pushing for the NAS has been pending for as much as a little over a decade.

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