Senator Bong Go, Chairperson of both the Senate Committees on Youth and on Sports, expressed strong support for the planned Philippine Tennis Center in New Clark City, Tarlac, calling it a significant step toward nurturing young athletes and strengthening grassroots sports programs nationwide.
The project, developed through a memorandum of understanding between the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA), will dedicate around 10 hectares for a tennis facility built to international standards.
Go praised the initiative as a key driver for the growth of tennis and other sports, highlighting the importance of building world-class infrastructure outside Metro Manila.
“Kung may ganitong pasilidad, mas maraming Pilipino ang magkakaroon ng pagkakataong mahasa ang kanilang talent.”
“Napakahalaga ng proyektong ito para sa ating mga kabataan at sa buong bansa. Kung may ganitong pasilidad, mas maraming Pilipino ang magkakaroon ng pagkakataong mahasa ang kanilang talento,” the veteran legislator stressed.
The seasoned lawmaker underscored how grassroots programs serve as the foundation for future champions.
“Kung gusto nating magkaroon ng mga atleta na maaaring makipagsabayan sa buong mundo, dapat magsimula sa mga barangay at paaralan. Dito nahuhubog ang disiplina at sipag ng kabataan,” the senator said.
He also highlighted the international breakthrough of young tennis star Alex Eala, who recently became the first Filipino to win a main-draw match at a Grand Slam event and captured her maiden Women’s Tennis Association singles title. Go has consistently supported her training and international competitions.
Notably, Eala, who enrolled at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca at age 12 and graduated in 2023, illustrates the value of world-class training environments. Her path shows how overseas academies can transform young talent, yet not every aspiring Filipino athlete can afford the cost of studying and training abroad.
A top-tier facility such as the planned Philippine Tennis Center would give local players access to the same level of coaching and competition without having to leave the country.
For Go, the Philippine Tennis Center represents more than just a sports facility. It symbolizes a national effort to provide equal opportunities for young Filipinos who aspire to compete internationally.
“Kailangan nating tiyakin na hindi lang ang may kakayahang pinansyal ang may pagkakataon.”
“Kailangan nating tiyakin na hindi lang ang may kakayahang pinansyal ang may pagkakataon. Ang bawat batang Pilipino na may pangarap sa sports dapat may access sa maayos na pasilidad,” he explained.
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 he 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, allowing young student-athletes to pursue academic excellence while developing their athletic talents.
To expand access to this model, Go filed Senate Bill No. 171, or the proposed National Academy of Sports Regional Expansion Act of 2025, seeking to establish regional NAS campuses nationwide, with particular focus on Visayas and Mindanao. These campuses will provide full scholarships and maintain the academic and athletic standards of the main campus to ensure equitable development of sports talent across the country.
As the sponsor of the sports budget in the Senate, he has been instrumental in securing support for the country’s sports development. He advocated for the repair and improvement of key sports facilities, such as the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila and Philsports Arena in Pasig City, believing that providing athletes with proper training environments, equipment, nutrition, and mental support is essential for their success.
Go has also continuously pushed for an increased budget for sports programs to significantly improve Filipino athletes’ preparation, training, and competitive performance on the international stage while launching effective programs to cultivate the talents of young and aspiring sports enthusiasts at the grassroots level.
He continues to urge the government to prioritize sports engagement among citizens, not only for elite athletes but also for aspiring youth athletes, especially at the grassroots.
“As I always remind our youth, get into sports, stay away from illegal drugs to keep us healthy and fit!” Go said.
Since assuming the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Sports in 2019, he has overseen a historic era for Philippine athletics. Under Go’s watch, the country clinched its first-ever Olympic gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games and followed it up with a groundbreaking twin gold victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics—a feat never before achieved in the nation’s sporting history.
As the tennis center project moves forward, Go encouraged continued collaboration between government agencies and sports organizations.
“Panahon na para mas lalo nating palakasin ang suporta sa kabataan at sa sports. Sila ang magdadala ng bandila ng ating bansa sa hinaharap,” he concluded.
