SPORTS development is one of the critical components of great civilizations, outgoing Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said during the final inspection of facilities of the National Academy of Sports (NAS) at the New Clark City on Tuesday in Capas, Tarlac.
“Great civilizations have always been associated with sports. Think of Rome and the gladiators and their famous Colosseum,” Briones said. “Think of Greece with the Olympics and all the races and traditions carried on until today. Think of the many great and big countries leading in sports competition at present.”
“These countries have always been marked by massive investment in sports. Realization and recognition that in learning and studying, one does not separate the physical from the intellectual activities of our learners,” Briones added.
Briones also noted how important sports are in the Philippine tradition and how the NAS would be an avenue for learners to hone their physical skills to be globally competitive.
“We admire the intellectuals, but we adore the athletes, all of us and all Filipinos. It is part of our tradition and therefore important to integrate sports development into our curriculum. Sports is a tradition for Filipinos, and it is time that must be organized. It is time that it would be integrated with our educational system,” she said.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the final inspection of the Academic and Administration Building and the Multi-Purpose Gymnasium at the Main Campus worth P557.8 million under the Phase 1 of the NAS Project.
The NAS Main Campus is also a few kilometers away from the Athletics Stadium, Aquatics Center and other facilities used during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and certified world-class by the international standards, which would be helpful in the development of the student-athletes.