LANAO del Norte is mulling the development of a satellite campus of the National Academy of Sports (NAS) at the Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio, who showed Lanao del Norte Rep. Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo and Provincial Administrator Lyndon Calica around the NAS campus at New Clark City in Tarlac, said the facility could serve as a model for a similar sports and education hub in Lanao.
‘The NAS is designed to nurture grassroots athletes and prepare them to become medal-winning national athletes. Replicating such a facility in Mindanao will give young athletes from the region the same opportunities to reach their dreams without having to leave home too early,’ Gregorio said.
‘A satellite NAS campus at the Mindanao Civic Center will be a game-changer for our youth. It will open doors for Mindanao athletes to train, study, and dream of representing the country in international competitions,” Quibranza-Dimaporo said.
The MCC is set to host the first Mindanao Youth Games from April 11 to 17, 2027, with athletes aged 18 and below from 33 local government units across six Mindanao regions taking part, and Timor-Leste participating as guest team.
The Mindanao Youth Games is expected to have 12 to 15 sports, including athletics, swimming, football, basketball, volleyball, archery, tennis, combat sports and weightlifting.