Go joined President Rodrigo Duterte in the inspection of the facility in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac, on Tuesday.

In his speech, Duterte said Go, since he was his aide, has dreamed of establishing a sports complex in the country to facilitate the training while providing quality education for aspiring athletes.

Go said, meanwhile said good athletes do not arise out of anywhere because years of training are required, with a whole-of-nation approach to ensure their welfare.

“Ang paghuhubog ng mga atletang magbibigay karangalan sa ating bansa ay isang kolektibong pagsisikap ng sambayanan. Mahirap maabot ang kanilang pangarap para sa kanilang sarili, pamilya at bansa kung wala pong sapat na suporta,” Go said.

“Ang tagumpay nila ay tagumpay ng buong sambayanan. Ngunit ang tagumpay na ito ay nangangailangan rin ng karampatang pagsisikap hindi lang mula sa atleta kundi pati na rin sa atin na may tungkuling suportahan sila sa kanilang preparasyon at kompetisyon,” he added. 

As part of his vision to provide a dedicated academy for promising young athletes, Go authored and co-sponsored a bill in the Senate which became Republic Act No. 11470 in 2020. The law provided for the establishment of the NAS System and Main Campus.

The NAS also offers a secondary education program with an integrated special curriculum on sports which was developed in close coordination with the Department of Education (DEPED) and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). 

The academy is equipped with world-class sports facilities, housing, and other amenities on par with international standards. A sufficient number of classrooms and other facilities have also been built at the complex to provide a conducive learning environment for all the students. 

To ensure the international competitiveness of the student-athletes, the academy likewise provides services of licensed and internationally-certified foreign coaches, trainers and consultants, duly certified by the PSC.

“Sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng maayos na mga programa sa ating mga kabataan upang sila ay makapag-aral ng mabuti at magabayan sa kanilang mga talento sa sports, mas mabibigyan natin sila ng oportunidad na magtagumpay sa buhay,” said Go in his previous statements.

“Layunin ko na magkaroon ang ating mga kabataan ng marangal at maayos na pamumuhay ‘di lang ngayon kundi pati sa kanilang pagtanda,” he explained.

The project began on July 16, 2021 and Phase I is expected to be completed by the end of July 2022. Meanwhile, the entire project is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.