The most universally understood language is not English, French or Chinese. It is sports, said Senator Win Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture.
Sports is the international lingua franca of competition, cooperation and mutual respect, Gathalian said.
The veteran legislator steered the approval of Senate Bill No. 1086, seeking to create the Philippine High School for Sports “to train and develop future generations of world champion Philippine athletes.”
Despite the fact that Filipinos love sports, the seasoned lawmaker said the Philippines has been lagging behind other countries in sporting competitions and events.
For instance, the senator said, while the Philippines has been participating in the Summer Olympic Games since 1924, Filipino athletes only bagged 10 medals, and not a single gold medal. Of the 13 Philippine athletes to participate in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Gatchalian noted that the silver-medal of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz in women’s weightlifting was the only podium event for the country.
“Filipino athletes lack the support due them that other countries give to their athletes.”
Filipino athletes, he said, lack the support due them that other countries give their athletes.
While many foreign governments pour billions to fund and support their athletes, Gatchalian said, the Philippines allocated only P207 million to the Philippine Sports Commission for 2020.
He said the passage of Senate Bill 1086 into law would establish a dedicated national high school offering a secondary course with special emphasis on developing the athletic skills of the students through subjects pertaining to physical education and sports development.
“The end view of this legislation is to unleash the potential of young Filipinos.”
“The end view of this legislation is to unleash the potential of young Filipinos who have shown early potential of excelling in sports for a sports-related career,” Gatchalian said.
He said the Philippine High School for Sports (PHSS) will be a world-class educational and athletics facility which is at par with international standards. The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) shall provide the land for the PHSS at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac and shall be in charge of the construction of classrooms, dormitories, other sports facilities and related amenities.
The PHSS shall offer full or partial scholarship programs to students who have demonstrated the potential of excelling in sports. It shall at the same time provide its students with quality secondary education in their chosen tract which shall not be limited to the sports track. It shall be under the supervision of the Department of Education.
According to an article in thoughtco.com, athletics has a profound impact on individuals, schools and communities. It is powerful because it can bridge gaps, bring people who otherwise might not interact together and provide opportunities not available elsewhere.
Benefits derived from having a successful athletics program in school include career and relations opportunities, camaraderie and togetherness, individual motivation and essential life skills such as effort, determination, self-discipline, teamwork and time management.
Aside from Gatchalian, the bill was co-authored by Senators Sonny Angara, Bong Go, Pia Cayetano, Majority Leader Migz Zubiri, Bong Revilla, Jr., Joel Villanueva, Risa Hontiveros and Ronald dela Rosa.