CAGAYAN de Oro City — Young athletes in Mindanao may soon have a chance to train for national teams without leaving home as Lanao del Norte pushes for a satellite campus of the National Academy of Sports (NAS) at the Mindanao Civic Center (MCC).

The proposed campus could give promising student-athletes access to elite training, education and national-level scouting closer to their families—removing one of the biggest hurdles faced by athletes who have to relocate to Luzon to pursue their sports careers.

For many young athletes, staying in Mindanao can mean fewer opportunities to train in world-class facilities or catch the attention of national sports programs.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick Gregorio said bringing an NAS facility to Mindanao could help close that gap.

“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 after inspecting the main NAS campus in New Clark City with Lanao del Norte Rep. Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo and Provincial Administrator Lyndon Calica.

Training and education in one campus

Under Republic Act 11470, the NAS combines secondary education with specialized sports training and development.

A satellite campus at the MCC could give Mindanawon athletes access to facilities such as FIFA-certified football pitches, a World Athletics-standard track oval and Olympic-size swimming pools.

The proposed setup would also provide student-athletes with academic support and campus-based accommodation while they train, creating a more structured pathway toward national team selection.

For families, the biggest benefit could be keeping young athletes closer to home while they pursue both education and competitive sports.

“A satellite NAS campus at the Mindanao Civic Center will be a game-changer for our youth,” Quibranza-Dimaporo said.

“It will open doors for Mindanao athletes to train, study, and dream of representing the country in international competitions. This is about giving them hope and a clear pathway to success.”

Mindanao Youth Games set for 2027

The NAS proposal comes as Lanao del Norte prepares to host what could become a major scouting and development opportunity for young athletes across the region.

Provincial Administrator Lyndon Calica, representing Gov. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo, confirmed that Lanao del Norte will host the inaugural Mindanao Youth Games from April 11 to 17, 2027, at the MCC.

The competition is expected to bring together thousands of athletes aged 18 and below from 33 cities across Mindanao’s six regions, along with a guest delegation from Timor-Leste.

Athletes will compete in around 12 to 15 sports, including football, track and field, swimming, basketball, archery and combat sports.

For young athletes, the games could provide more than medals—it could give them a bigger stage to be seen by coaches, sports officials and potential national-team selectors.

“Hosting this event is about peace, development, and giving our youth a platform to shine,” Calica said. “The Mindanao Youth Games will showcase the best of our young athletes.”

If pursued, the proposed NAS satellite campus and the Mindanao Youth Games could give Mindanao athletes something they have long needed: a stronger local pipeline from grassroots sports to national competition—without having to leave home to chase the dream.