SENATOR Alan Peter Cayetano said the National Academy of Sports in Clark City, Pampanga continues to provide a nurturing environment where aspiring Filipino athletes can pursue their sporting dreams while receiving quality education.

The academy was established through Republic Act No.11470 which was principally sponsored by Cayetano during his stint as the House Speaker.

“Ang sports po ay nakatahi sa ating pang-araw-araw na buhay. Whether you talk about anti-drugs, you talk about teamwork, you talk about discipline, you talk about passion, you talk about nutrition, isama-sama niyo po lahat yan, makikita ninyo sa sports,” Cayetano said.

Four years on, the academy continues to thrive in nurturing athletic talent and fostering a culture of sports excellence.

In its 2023 figures, NAS boasts a total of 160 students, among them 63 student-athletes being trained across various disciplines.

These student-athletes come from all over the country – 26 from North Luzon, 13 from Mindanao, 9 from Visayas, and 8 each from South Luzon and the National Capital Region.

The sports programs offered by NAS also encompass a wide range of disciplines, including aquatics, athletics, badminton, gymnastics, judo, table tennis, taekwondo, and weightlifting.

The academy currently trains Grade 7 to 9 students and will have the first Grade 10 batch this coming school year.

Through state-of-the-art facilities and expert coaching, NAS provides student-athletes with the resources and support they need to excel in their chosen sport while fostering values of discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Cayetano said in the backdrop of NAS’ training is the series of sports hosting opportunities for the Philippines in major international events.

“NAS is here so that we have a high school that will focus on sports, find new talents, and provide scholarships to deserving student-athletes,” he said.

To further complement NAS’ training of student-athletes, Cayetano is pushing for the establishment of a nationwide grassroots sports program.

“I believe na dapat ibalik ‘to, yung grassroots sports program. Kailangan naka-integrate sa DepEd, from kindergarten all the way to college, dahil napaka-importante ng sports,” he said.