Which way to the sports academy?

Not all national sports academies are the same. But nothing beats the Philippine sports academy approved and lined up for establishment by an act of Congress.

The Inquirer’s June Navarro has reported about the long-awaited national sports academy, which should have received a rousing welcome from all sectors.

“The Academy is attached to the DepEd (Department of Education) in close coordination with the Philippine Sports Commission,” Navarro reported.

He pointed to the main campus in New Clark City, with Bases Conversion and Development Authority providing the land.

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Who’ll be supervising and running it?

“It will be headed by an executive director for six years. The ED will be appointed by the chairperson of the board of trustees composed of DepEd secretary (chair), [Philippine Sports Commission] chair (vice chair). Members—executive director, [Philippine Olympic Committee] president, [Commission on Higher Education] chair and two representatives from the private sector of known expertise in the field of sports.”

What about the budget?

“No proposed budget yet, but money will come from the GAA of the DepEd.”

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The report pointed to Spea­ker Alan Peter Cayetano as one of the authors from Congress, and Sen. Sonny Angara in the Senate.

It’s a monumental task, how to formally launch the national sports academy.

“The PSC really needs to be wholly involved, we cannot leave it under the care of the DepEd,” Navarro said.

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The passing of the national sports academy act was painfully long overdue.

But did the main proponents bother to at least peek into the national sports academies of super sports powers, like China and Australia?

Threatened by the current health crisis gripping the country, the Philippine sports academy should count as the evolution of a vaccine to attack and offset the deep-seated decay in Philippine sports.

Isn’t it disheartening that, as things stand, those behind the proposed establishment of the national sports academy appeared ready and willing to put up a regular clinic or puericulture center, instead of a badly needed general hospital?

The Philippine sports academy is the lone academy of its incredible kind in the world.