SENATOR Christopher ‘Bong’ Go called on young and aspiring student-athletes to pursue their potential in sports and explore opportunities available at the National Academy of Sports or NAS at the New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac.

As Chairperson of the Senate Committees on Youth and Sports, Go highlighted the role of sports in nation-building, particularly in molding the youth into productive citizens; teaching values such as discipline, sportsmanship, teamwork, and camaraderie; providing opportunities for personal and economic development; and most importantly, grabbing the chance to bring honor to the country.

During the Senate Hearing of the Sports Committee where a post-evaluation of the Philippines’ participation in the Paris Olympics and other international competitions was conducted, Go discussed the need to promote all fields of sports where Filipinos have the potential to excel and develop future elite athletes.

NAS Executive Director Joy Reyes presented a comprehensive report on the institution’s current status and challenges, including the lack of student enrollment in weightlifting over the past three years and the limited participation in gymnastics, despite the sport’s increasing popularity.

Despite the successes of national athletes in these fields, Reyes reported a startling statistic: “Unfortunately, for the past three school years, we don’t have any students in weightlifting.”

Reyes also acknowledged the limited enrollment in gymnastics, stating, “We started with four, and then right now… we have nine students who are admitted in gymnastics.”

She attributed the low numbers to ongoing construction at the gymnastics center, which is expected to be completed by the last quarter of 2025.

In her presentation, Reyes also outlined several challenges faced by NAS, including the need for more qualified coaches across various sports, especially in judo.

She further detailed the difficulties in operating the academy’s programs, the dependency on ongoing construction for athletic facilities, and the need for continuous funding to support student-athletes participation in national and international competitions