SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committees on Sports and on Youth, has been actively involved in efforts to bolster school-based sports programs across various educational institutions. These efforts complemented broader initiatives aimed at supporting the country’s young athletes and promoting long-term athletic development.
In recent years, Bulacan State University, led by President Teody San Andres, received assistance for sports equipment to improve its student training facilities. Ifugao State University likewise secured support for its sports development initiatives focused on campus-wide athletic engagement.
These forms of support were made possible through the collaboration of Senator Go, the Philippine Sports Commission and the respective educational institutions.
Requests were also granted to Saint Hannibal Multi-Level School Foundation for organized sports activities, and to De La Salle Santiago Zobel for the needs of its girls’ basketball team, following coordination by Jaimee Juliana Calixta Go.
“Ang sports ay disiplina, hindi lang laro. Dito nahuhubog ang sipag, tiyaga, at respeto,” said Senator Go in a statement that year. “As I always remind our youth, get into sports, and stay away from illegal drugs to keep us healthy and fit!”
In terms of legislation, Senator Go authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11470, which created the National Academy of Sports (NAS). Located in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac, NAS was established to offer student-athletes an integrated academic and athletic curriculum, giving them structured access to quality education and professional-level training.
His role in the Senate further included supporting budgetary allocations to improve major sports facilities. Upgrades were undertaken at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila and the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, providing enhanced environments for both training and competition.
Throughout those years, Senator Go consistently advocated for measures to expand access to sports opportunities at both grassroots and elite levels, grounded in the view that sports is a vital tool for nation-building and youth empowerment.
“Ang gusto natin ay maabot ng kabataan ang kanilang potensyal, anuman ang estado sa buhay,” Senator Go emphasized. “Kung may tamang suporta, may pag-asa silang makipagsabayan sa mga pinakamagagaling—hindi lang dito, kundi pati sa labas ng bansa.”
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.
As Chairperson of the Senate Youth Committee, Go continues to urge 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!” he said earlier.
