Qualified Ilonggo athletes will soon benefit from the institutionalized partnership between this highly urbanized city’s local government and the National Academy of Sports (NAS).
The Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council), during its regular session on Wednesday, approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Raisa Treñas, representing the city government, to sign a memorandum of agreement with the NAS, a government-run institution offering a specialized secondary education curriculum integrated with sports training through a scholarship program.
Councilor Jelma Crystal Implica, chair of the Committee on Sports and Youth, said that under the agreement, NAS will provide free training for qualified junior and senior high school learners to compete in national and international sports events.
“They will choose deserving athletes. They are also foreseeing that athletes who will be sent there will compete not only here in the Philippines but potentially to represent the Philippines in other places,” she said in an interview.
In the proposed agreement, the role of the city government is limited to assisting in the promotion and dissemination of information regarding NAS programs to schools within the city.
There is no financial burden on the part of the local government, and NAS will shoulder the training, including promotional materials, information kits, and related resources.
“This is a big win for us, to give more opportunities for our Ilonggo youth athletes not only to enhance their skills and talents in sports but also give them the opportunity to boost their confidence and morale,” Implica said.
The scholarship program covers full tuition and miscellaneous fees, board and lodging, meals, learning materials, uniforms, access to world-class sports facilities, medical and sports science services, and a monthly stipend.
Currently, NAS has pending MOAs with approximately 14 local government units in the country.
On its website, NAS said it offers eight sports, namely, swimming, running and jumping, badminton, gymnastics (rhythmic), judo, table tennis, taekwondo (poomsae and kyorugi), and weightlifting. (PNA)
