PASAY CITY -- Senator and Senate Sports Committee Chair Christopher “Bong” Go urged promising young Filipino athletes to join the National Academy of Sports Annual Search for Competent, Exceptional, Notable and Talented Student-Athlete Scholars (NASCENT SAS) as the deadline of submission of applications had been extended to July 31.

As part of Go’s vision to provide a dedicated academy where promising young athletes can further hone their talents while getting quality education, he authored and co-sponsored the National Academy of Sports bill in the Senate which was enacted into Republic Act No. 11470 in 2020. The measure seeks the establishment of the NAS System and Main Campus in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac.

The NAS is a government-run academy aimed at developing the country’s future athletes that offers quality secondary education with a special curriculum on sports for gifted young Filipinos who want to enhance their physical and mental capabilities in sports.

Launched on June 18, the NASCENT SAS Program is the annual search to identify and offer scholarships to academically competent and athletically talented natural-born Filipino youth from all sectors of society, including indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups.

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as long as they meet the following qualifications: aspirant should be a natural-born Filipino citizen who is an incoming Grade 7 student or a graduate of elementary school at the time of application, they should not be older than 14 years old at the start of the school year, and they must be able to present proof that they are physically fit to undergo the athletic program.

Qualified scholars will then have the opportunity to lodge at the NAS Dormitory in NAS Campus in Tarlac, and have access to specialized sports training in world-class facilities. In addition, scholars will also be given the chance to represent the country and NAS in international competitions and exchange programs.

More so, student-athletes under the NAS may be granted various forms of scholarships and monthly allowances subject to availability of funds.

Last May, President Duterte approved the release of the budget for the construction of the facilities and amenities of the National Academy of Sports in Tarlac. The government allocated a total of P729 million to cover the construction costs, including civil works requirements; fixtures, furniture and equipment; and consultancy services.

To guarantee quality education and to ensure the international competitiveness of the student-athletes, the academy plans to hire local and foreign coaches, trainers, and consultants who are licensed and certified by the Philippine Sports Commission and other international sports training organizations.

The NAS System is also attached to the Department of Education and shall operate in close coordination with the PSC.

“It is about time that we establish a learning institution focused on sports. Kaya naman inaanyayahan ko ang mga kabataang atleta na lumahok sa scholarship program ng National Academy of Sports,” said Go.

“Ngayon na meron nang National Academy of Sports, mabibigyan na ang mga kabataang atleta ng pagkakataon na mag-training at makapag-aral sa isang world-class na pasilidad at eskwelahan,” he added.

For more information about the admission process, applicants may inquire through the National Academy of Sports online portals. Accepted student-athletes will start their program in 2022. (OSBG)