THE Department of Education (DepEd) formally welcomed the officials of the newly-established National Academy of Sports (NAS) which is set to admit its first batch of learners this August.
Created through Republic Act No. 11470, the NAS is an attached institution of the DepEd in close coordination with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and aims to develop more future world-class Filipino athletes and increase youth interest in sports.
Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones, also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the academy, administered the virtual oath-taking of NAS Executive Director Josephine Joy Reyes, Deputy Executive Director Emil Arroyo and System Registrar and Board Secretary Mary Grace Ramoy.
Patrick Gregorio also took his oath as a member of the NAS Board of Trustees representing the private sector.
Briones expressed her excitement over the inauguration of the NAS, citing the need for a specialized institution that will develop the skills and character of promising student-athletes.
“The NAS is just a phase in the development of kids who are interested in sports,” Briones said. “There’s sports as a science and sports as an art.”
The virtual oath-taking ceremony was witnessed by Officer-In-Charge Assistant Secretary for the NAS and Field Operations Malcolm Garma, the family members of the officials, and members of the NAS Management Committee.
The NAS is currently conducting a logo and hymn-making contest in preparation for its inaugural school year. For guidelines and important updates, the public may check NAS System’s official social media accounts at www.facebook.com/nassystemph, www.twitter.com/nassystemph, and www.instagram.com/nassystemph.