TARLAC, Philippines – New equipment are on the way for the National Academy of Sports (NAS).
An offshot of the Philippines’ historic campaign in the Paris Games, which saw gymnast Carlos Yulo become the first Filipino to win two Olympic medals, the NAS will receive a donation of P5 million worth of athletic equipment from fast food giant Jollibee.
“We were surprised and we’re very fortunate and grateful that Jollibee chose NAS,” said executive director Josephine Joy Reyes on Monday, October 7, after the ceremonial turnover also attended by Yulo and Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara at the NAS campus in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
“It is probably because of the hype of the Olympics. Since we are mandated to produce world-class athletes, I think that became the inspiration of Jollibee to help NAS since this is the home of future champions, the home of future Olympians,” she said.
Reyes said the amount would be used to procure table tennis tables, badminton court flooring, and interlocking mats.
“This is such a huge help for NAS since they chose to support us by providing additional sports equipment. This will really transform the competitive training experience of the students,” said Reyes.
Then-president Rodrigo Duterte in 2020 signed the law creating the NAS. The academy is currently in Phase 1 of its development, featuring eight kinds of sports: aquatics, athletics, badminton, gymnastics, judo, table tennis, taekwondo, and weightlifting.
There are currently 229 student-athletes enrolled at NAS, a number expected to increase in the coming years following the completion of Phase 2, which includes a gymnastics center, sports science building, and staff housing.
Monday proved to be a momentus day for NAS as Yulo visited the campus for the first time, bringing excitement to student-athletes who aspire to replicate his success on the world stage.
Yulo gamely performed a couple of his floor exercise skills then went on to sign autographs and take selfies with giddy student-athletes.
“It feels good to know that there is an institution like this with the goal of raising the level of Philippine sports,” Yulo said. – Rappler.com
