The future of Philippine sports just received a massive lift. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Department of Education (DepEd), and Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo are teaming up to launch the largest weightlifting academy in the country—an initiative set to reshape school-based athletics nationwide.

This partnership directly responds to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive in his last State of the Nation Address to strengthen grassroots and school-centered programs. DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara revealed that at least 300 schools nationwide already run a specialized sports curriculum, providing young athletes with more training and development opportunities.

PSC Chairman Pato Gregorio emphasized that weightlifting must be the backbone of these programs, noting its role in building strength across all sports. “The core requirement for any sport is weightlifting. But you can’t just donate equipment without teaching athletes how to use it properly. Someone has to teach them the fundamentals,” he said.

Diaz-Naranjo leads the charge

That’s where Diaz-Naranjo and her HD Weightlifting Academy come in. With her status as the country’s first Olympic gold medalist, she is uniquely positioned to inspire and guide the next generation. “You need a champion, an icon, to drive this plan,” Gregorio added. “You can’t just drop equipment and leave it to them—you need Hidilyn Diaz and her academy to replicate the program across all 300 schools.”

Angara echoed the sentiment: “Hidilyn has been helping us raise the next generation of athletes. With the leadership of Chairman Pato at the PSC, we are bringing President Bongbong Marcos’ vision to life.”

DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman pledged full support, confirming that ₱180 million will be allocated for the project. “President Marcos supports every step to uplift Philippine sports,” she said. “The DBM stands ready to provide the necessary funding, including the establishment of this weightlifting academy.”

The PSC plans to donate ₱100,000 worth of weightlifting equipment to each participating school, while also seeking private sponsors and foundations for additional support. A summit for coaches will precede the rollout to ensure safe and proper training practices.

Gregorio described the PSC’s role as that of an enabler, connecting resources, expertise, and partnerships to scale the project nationwide. A tripartite agreement among PSC, DepEd, and Diaz-Naranjo is already being finalized, with her academy in Jala-Jala, Rizal, serving as the model hub.

“Suddenly, Hidilyn has nearly 300 weight training facilities across the country,” Gregorio said. “No one else is better equipped to execute this plan.”

The establishment of the PSC-DepEd-Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Academy is more than just a project—it’s a movement to power Philippine sports from the ground up, forging champions inside classrooms and gymnasiums nationwide.