President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants the Department of Education (DepEd) to further strengthen sports development and encourage more young athletes to train at the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in Capas, Tarlac.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the President wants more Filipinos to know that the country now has a world-class training facility for promising athletes.
“I think the President wants to impress upon the public… Kung meron tayong magagaling na atleta, pwede silang dito para talagang mahasa,” Angara said.
He added that Marcos Jr. wants to ensure young talents get the right support, pointing to tennis star Alex Eala as an example. “Yung mga potential natin, huwag natin sayangin, gamitin po natin,” Angara said.
Angara also said the President was pleased with the NAS facilities, stressing that sports remains one of his priorities. He said DepEd, with support from the Office of the President and the Philippine Sports Commission, has already established around 100 new sports clubs and facilities.
NAS Executive Director Francis Carlos Diaz said the academy recruits top student-athletes from the Palarong Pambansa and provides them with quality education and training. He also revealed plans to establish another NAS campus in either the Visayas or Mindanao within the next five years.IMT
