In pushing for House Bill 10422 or the proposed Philippine Sports Academy Act of 2021, Zubiri said the strategies to achieve better performance in local and international competitions should include allocating more resources in sports training and infrastructure development.

“The Philippines is a nation with great potential in sports, as it is an integral element of our culture. Filipino athletes have won world acclaim in amateur, Olympic and professional competitions in individual and team sports just as in the recent Olympic games,” Zubiri said in his explanatory note.

The lawmaker stressed that the government should play a larger role by consistently providing high-quality sports training and education. 

This, Zubiri said, shall include offering the opportunity for athletes to be active in sports at the same time that they complete a degree and non-degree courses or engage in advanced studies and specialization.

House Bill 10422 mandates the creation of the PSA that shall educate and serve as a training ground for Filipino athletes, as an attached agency of the PSC.

The academy shall provide resources to prepare youth for careers in sports and improve the country’s medal haul in international competitions, such as the Southeast Asian Games and the Olympics.

Under the bill, the PSA shall be part of the platform for grassroots sports development.

Through academic degree and non-degree programs, it shall train educators, coaches, trainers, sports managers, referees, umpires, community sports psychologists, sports medicine practitioners, and other related sports careers in different levels of specialization.

The Academy shall also establish linkages with international academic institutions and organizations for the modernization and advancement of the Academy and its sports curriculum and programs.