Kimberly Capuyan

Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara announced on August 31 the possible launch of a program that supports Filipino student-athletes to become Olympic medalists.


Angara, who was also the chairperson of the National Academy of Sports (NAS) Board of Trustees, expressed his desire to expose their scholars in international competitions.

“NAS athletes should compete globally so [that] Team Philippines can produce more champion athletes,” Angara said in a statement.

According to Angara, the student-athlete scholars under NAS were champions and podium-finishers of Palarong Pambansa, a national multi-sport event organized by DepEd annually.

He added that the scholars should be sent to compete outside the Philippines to train their talents for the Olympic Games.

Angara co-authored the Republic Act No. 11470, with Sen. Bong Go and Sen. Pia Cayetano, an act that established the NAS System, which then-President Rodrigo Duterte approved on June 9, 2022.

The NAS System was linked to DepEd, in close coordination with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

“It shall institutionalize an educational system within the framework of this national sustainable sports program and provide excellent training to produce world-class athletes,” the bill read.

“Our dream of producing the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medalist is one step to becoming a reality now that Congress has approved the bill creating the National Academy of Sports,” Angara said in a statement on May 12, 2022.

Angara also said in an interview with Power and Play that “young athletes should start at an early age,” reiterating the objective of NAS in honing the talents of the youth.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo, 24, started training at age 7 and won several awards at the Palarong Pambansa as well before his successful 2024 Olympic stint.

Carlos, who was 12 then, won the All-Around Gymnastics Champion in 2011 Palarong Pambansa.