By MARK REY MONTEJO
Paris Olympics double gold medalist Carlos Yulo has nothing but love and encouragement for aspiring athletes who he personally met during a recent visit at the National Academy of Sports in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
Interestingly, Yulo said he is open to the idea of conducting training camps with the NAS student-athletes in the future.
“I would love to visit and magkaroon ng training camps kasama ng mga [NAS] students,” the pride of Leveriza, Manila said.
“Makapag-cross training rin minsa sa iba’t ibang sports kasi need po siya na ma-experience bilang athlete and gusto ko rin pong mag-enjoy,” he added.
Yulo was present along with NAS executive director Josephine Reyes, Jollibee Philippines president Ferns Yu Jr. and vice president and head of Marketing Dorothy Dee-Ching, and Education secretary Sonny Angara during the ceremonial turnover on Monday, Oct. 7, where the athletic school received P5-million worth of additional sports equipment from the fast-food giant Jollibee.
The first Filipino to win two gold medals in a single Olympic edition, Yulo also said he wants to impart his knowledge and experience from training and competing abroad to the aspiring athletes who dreamed of donning the national colors someday.
He was also grateful for NAS’ commitment for the student-athletes, knowing that there are a lot of aspirants dreaming of making into the big stage the way he achieved his.
“Super happy po ako para sa mga nangangarap din na kagaya ko, nangangarap din na makasali sa international level,” Yulo said.
“And I’m hoping and praying po na maraming pong estudyante na galing dito ang makapag-compete sa mas malaking paligsahan,” he added.
Officially opened last July, NAS was built through Republic Act No. 11470 or the creation and establishing of National Academy of Sports which was signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2020.
It offers a full scholarship program for all natural-born Filipinos who are in Grade 7 and 8. The school also provides monthly allowances, food and accommodations for the student-athletes.
NAS has eight focus sports on its list that consists of aquatics (swimming), athletics (running events), badminton, gymnastics (rhythmic), judo, table tennis, taekwondo and weightlifting. The establishment has two phases as well with its second part set to finish in August 2025.
