THE success of the 30th Southeast Asian Games didn’t escape President Duterte’s attention as the 11 glorious days in December last year that saw the country running away with the overall championship on top of hosting the biggest games ever merited special mention in his fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona).
“Our athletes prevailed. More than that, we fostered pride, patriotism, genuine sportsmanship and camaraderie with our Southeast Asian brothers and sisters. Indeed, we won as one,” Duterte said in his Sona at the House of Representatives where his live audience of legislators and Cabinet members practiced strict social distancing protocols.
But it weren’t the SEA Games alone that President Duterte gave special mention. The establishment of the National Academy of Sports (NAS) took a lofty nook early in his the Sona, something that is unprecedented each time the head of the state addresses both chambers of congress to deliver his report to the Filipino people.
President Duterte signed into law the creation of the NAS during the pandemic. As a result, a high-school institution dedicated to molding future top Filipino athletes will rise at the New Clark City, the same centerpiece venue of the country’s hosting of the SEA Games last November 30 to December 11, 2019.
Duterte lauded efforts of all the individuals who took part in the successful of the hosting of the SEA Games.
“With the commitment of key members of Congress, Executive Department, Phisgoc [Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee], the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee, we were bound together with one mission to host the 30th Southeast Asian Games,” he said.
The President lauded Republic Act 11470 that established the NAS.
“We can now give our deserving student-athletes the training and support they need to excel in their chosen field of endeavor,” he said.
It marked the first time in recent memory that a sitting president mentioned up high his administration’s achievements in sports over the more onerous economic, social, health, security and education concerns.
And while the sports enjoyed a lofty billing in the President’s penultimate Sona,
The Join Administrative Order allowing the return to training of the country’s professional basketball and football athletes was finally completed.
The PSC, Department of Health and the Games and Amusement Board collaborated for the resolution that was signed on Monday, thus paving the way for return-to-training activities for the two sports.
PSC Chairman William Ramirez, Heath Secretary Francisco Duque III and GAB Chairman Baham Mitra signed the resolution.