Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go underscored the importance of expanding access to the National Academy of Sports (NAS) and strengthening grassroots sports development as he addressed young athletes during the opening ceremony of the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVRAA) weightlifting competition 2026 on Tuesday, March 24, in Barangay Naalad, Naga City, Cebu.
Speaking before student-athletes, coaches, local government representatives, and organizers, Go emphasized that sports programs must remain inclusive and accessible, particularly through institutions such as the NAS, which he authored and co-sponsored under Republic Act No. 11470. He also highlighted ongoing legislative efforts to expand the NAS model nationwide, especially in Visayas and Mindanao, to ensure that young athletes across regions are given equal opportunities to train and study.
“It is a pleasure to be here with all of you for the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association 2026 Opening Ceremony. I extend my sincere greetings to the organizers, officials, coaches, and most especially to our young student-athletes from across Central Visayas,” Go said.
“I am truly proud to see all of you gathered here—bringing with you your passion, discipline, and determination. Events like this are not just about competition. They are about unity, sportsmanship, and allowing our youth to grow, both as athletes and as individuals,” he continued.
Go acknowledged the role of institutional partnerships in sustaining grassroots sports development, particularly the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), which jointly support the CVRAA as the official regional qualifying competition for the Palarong Pambansa.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Department of Education and the Philippine Sports Commission for their continued partnership in promoting grassroots sports development and creating more opportunities for our young athletes,” he added.
The CVRAA, held from March 22 to 26, features a variety of sporting events, including basketball, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, and wushu. It serves as a platform for identifying promising athletes who may advance to national-level competitions.
“This event showcases a wide range of sports—from basketball and volleyball to weightlifting, wrestling, and wushu. Each of these disciplines reflects not only physical strength, but also mental toughness, focus, and character. Through competitions like this, we discover future champions who may one day represent our region—and even our country—on bigger stages like the Palarong Pambansa and beyond,” Go said.
Focusing on weightlifting, Go highlighted the discipline and resilience required in the sport, citing Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz as a source of national pride and inspiration for aspiring athletes.
“As we highlight weightlifting as one of the key events, I want to emphasize how this sport embodies discipline, resilience, and determination. Hindi madali ang weightlifting—it requires focus, proper training, and mental strength to push beyond your limits. We have seen how this sport has brought pride to our country, especially through the historic achievement of Hidilyn Diaz in the Olympics, who inspired a generation of Filipino athletes to believe that with hard work and perseverance, nothing is impossible. I hope that many of you here today will follow in her footsteps and continue to raise our flag in future competitions,” he said.
As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports and on Youth, Go reiterated his support for policies and programs aimed at improving the country’s sports ecosystem. He cited key legislative measures he filed, including Senate Bill No. 171, which seeks to establish regional NAS campuses nationwide; SBN 407, which aims to strengthen incentives and support for para-athletes; SBN 413, which proposes the institutionalization of the Philippine National Games; and SBN 678, which seeks to create more opportunities for student-athletes in higher education through a national tertiary games framework.
Go also delivered a reminder to the youth on maintaining a healthy and disciplined lifestyle.
“But beyond all these programs and policies, I always remind our youth of something simple yet important: get into sports, stay away from drugs to keep us healthy and fit,” he said.
Addressing the athletes directly, Go encouraged them to focus on growth, perseverance, and learning regardless of the outcome of their competitions.
“And to all our athletes here today, always remember—manalo man o matalo, proud ako sa inyo… go lang nang go! What matters most is that you give your best, you learn from every experience, and you continue to strive for excellence,” he remarked.
“Enjoy the games, support one another, and carry with you the values of discipline, respect, and perseverance,” he continued.
“Maraming salamat, at mabuhay ang kabataang atleta ng Central Visayas!”
