Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts, and Culture, said the sports hub may be utilized for the proposed establishment of a national sports high school.
“These SEA Games facilities complement our proposed high school and facilities for young and promising athletes. Hindi ito masasayang dahil pakikinabangan ito ng ating mga manlalaro (This will not go to waste since our athletes can benefit from it),” Gatchalian said in a statement.
Gatchalian was among the senators who authored and sponsored a bill seeking to establish a Philippine High School for Sports (PHSS) that will develop athletic skills through physical education and sports development subjects.
The New Clark City sports hub, Gatchalian said, may also serve as a space to support the training of the country’s athletes.
“Our athletes don’t become world-class performers overnight. Through this high school for sports and the sports hub that will be available for its students, potential athletes will receive government and community support at the earliest possible stage,” Gatchalian said.
“Sports have a fundamental role in bringing national pride and unity, especially when Filipino athletes win in international competitions. But for our athletes to reach a level of excellence, we need to put support mechanisms in place such as accessible, world-class training facilities,” he added.
The Philippines is hosting the biennial SEA Games from November 30 to December 11.
One of the major venues is the P13-billion sports complex located in Tarlac which has a 20,000-seat athletics stadium, a 2,000-seat aquatics center with an Olympic-size pool, and a seven-building athlete’s village.
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Gov’t eyeing nat’l sports high school in New Clark City after SEA Games—Cayetano