Sen. Go vows to strengthen grassroots sports programs and expand opportunities for Filipino athletes

Go underscored the importance of sustaining momentum in the country’s sports programs while ensuring that no Filipino athlete—regardless of background or location—is left behind.

“As an advocate of sports, we should also further advance sports development in the country, especially in the grassroots, so that aspiring young athletes can be allowed to improve their skills and, hopefully, eventually produce more Olympic medalists who will bring honor to our country,” Go previously said in his proclamation speech.

“That is why I keep encouraging fellow Filipinos, especially the youth, to get into sports, stay away from drugs to keep us healthy and fit,” he added.

Go has long championed the welfare of Filipino athletes through a comprehensive, inclusive, and grassroots-oriented approach to sports development. At the heart of this advocacy is the National Academy of Sports (NAS), established under Republic Act No. 11470, which Go authored and co-sponsored. Located in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac, NAS offers a unique dual-track system combining quality secondary education with a specialized sports curriculum. This allows young student-athletes to pursue academic excellence while honing their athletic skills.

Recognizing the need to broaden access to this model, Go filed Senate Bill No. 171, or the proposed National Academy of Sports Regional Expansion Act of 2025, which, if enacted, will establish regional NAS campuses across the country, with particular emphasis on Visayas and Mindanao.

These campuses will provide full scholarships and adhere to the academic and athletic standards of the main NAS campus, ensuring equitable opportunities for sports talent nationwide.

Go also filed SBN 407, which seeks to amend RA 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act. If passed, the measure will ensure better incentives particularly for para-athletes.

Furthering his vision of a inclusive sports development, Go filed SBN 413, or the Philippine National Games bill, which if enacted, institutionalizes a nationwide grassroots sports competition to serve as a recruitment platform for National Sports Associations. He also authored SBN 678, or the National Tertiary Games bill, which if enacted, formalizes a national collegiate multi-sport tournament aimed at nurturing athletic talent at the tertiary level.

“Kung walang malinaw na sistema, maraming talento ang nasasayang,” Go said. “Kaya gusto natin na may malinaw na landas mula barangay leagues, provincial competitions, hanggang sa national level at hopefully makarating rin ng international stage.”

As the sponsor of the sports budget in the Senate, Go has been instrumental in securing funding for the repair and improvement of key sports facilities, including the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila and the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. He emphasized that providing athletes with proper training environments, quality equipment, nutrition, and mental support is essential for their development.

Go has consistently pushed for an increased budget for sports programs to enhance Filipino athletes’ preparation, training, and international competitiveness. He has also launched initiatives to develop young sports enthusiasts at the grassroots level.

Since assuming the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Sports in 2019, Go has overseen a period of remarkable success for Philippine sports. This includes the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games and a groundbreaking twin gold victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics—achievements never before seen in Philippine sporting history. During his tenure, the country also successfully hosted the 2019 South East Asian Games where the Philippines ranked first in the overall medal tally. 

Go made it clear that his continued mandate as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports only strengthens his resolve to work for the advancement of Philippine sports. He promised to continue advocating for policies and programs that support athletes from the grassroots to the elite level.

“Ako po’y patuloy na susuporta sa ating mga atleta sa abot ng aking makakaya dahil naniniwala po ako na ang sports ay napakahalaga sa kinabukasan ng ating kabataan,” Go urged. 

“Isang beses lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kaya anumang tulong ang pwede nating ibigay sa kapwa, o anumang karangalan ang pwede nating ialay sa bansa, ay gawin at ibigay na natin ngayon,” Go ended.