President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inspected the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in New Clark City, Tarlac, on Tuesday, July 14, pointing to tennis star Alex Eala’s achievements as the ideal model for the country’s athletic landscape.
Highlighting that elite talent demands premier training grounds, the President directed the Department of Education (DepEd) to vigorously expand sports grassroots development throughout the Philippines.
In a press briefing following the inspection, Education Secretary Sonny Angara remarked that the chief executive’s visit aimed to underscore the administration’s dedication to maintaining a premier facility for top-tier youth athletes.
“I think the President wants to impress upon the public. Sabihin niya sa publiko na meron tayong pasilidad na ganito. Kung meron sa ating mga kanya-kanyang lalawigan, kung meron tayong magagaling na atleta, pwede silang dito para talagang mahasa,” Angara explained.
Angara emphasized that the objective is to mirror the success story of athletes like Eala, whose journey to global prominence was built on structured, expert training.
“Tulad na nahasa si Alex Eala, di ba? Dahil nabigyan siya ng tamang coaching, tamang suporta. Ganun din ang mensahe ni Presidente na yung mga potential natin, huwag natin sayangin, gamitin po natin,” he added.
Created through Republic Act No. 11470, the NAS serves as a dedicated training ground for exceptionally talented Filipino students.
The academy is functioning dynamically; Phase 1 infrastructure, which features an advanced Multi-Sports Gymnasium, is completely operational, while Phase 2 projects—including a specialized Gymnastics Hall and specialized training wings—are nearly finished at 98 percent completion.
The institution currently grooms 246 high-performance student-athletes across seven major sports, such as taekwondo, athletics, and aquatics. Along with premium equipment, the academy provides an all-inclusive support structure that features round-the-clock supervision, on-campus housing, and a monthly financial stipend.
This state backing is yielding impressive returns. In 2025, NAS delegates amassed an outstanding total of 1,029 medals in diverse athletic events.
The momentum carried forward into 2026, with academy delegates clinching 26 medals at the Palarong Pambansa, demonstrating that Filipino youth can excel internationally when backed by superior infrastructure.