The government-run National Academy of Sports (NAS) tapped UA&P physical and sports education expert Dr. Stella Marie M. Urbiztondo to lead a pool of experienced resource persons in a curriculum validation workshop held last November 25-29 in Pasay City. 

The NAS has engaged experts from the academe to draft, validate, and finalize a coherent curriculum for the sports academy, starting with the junior high school in 2024 and the senior high school in 2025. 

Resource persons from the UP Diliman College of Human Kinetics, UP Manila, University of the East, and Rizal Technological University joined Dr. Urbiztondo and their respective counterparts from the Department of Education in the development of a curriculum anchored on a comprehensive National Sports Program that includes, among others, the country’s programs for grassroots community sports and school sports from basic to tertiary level education.

Created in 2019 by virtue of Republic Act 11470, the National Academy of Sports System is envisioned as an organization of future regionally funded high schools for sports integrated into one system of governance and management. Its mandate is to implement a quality and enhanced secondary education program integrated with a special curriculum on sports for the early recognition and development of highly talented, exceptionally gifted students demonstrating the potential to excel in sports. Its main campus sits at the existing New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac.

Dr. Urbiztondo (center) flanked by (L) NAS Academic Affairs, Curriculum and Instruction Division Chief Dr. Abel D. Soto and (R) Deputy Division Chief Ms. Rea M. Lingat together with the resource persons from UP Diliman College of Human Kinetics, UP Manila, University of the East, and Rizal Technological University.

Validation team from the Department of Education (standing) with their counterparts from the academe (seated) led by Dr. Abel D. Soto, Ms. Rea M. Lingat, and Dr. Urbiztondo.