Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Who can represent the Philippines at International masters competitions?
Members of NMSAAP are eligible to represent the Philippines at International competitions if they are Citizens of the Philippines or permanent residents.
World Masters Athletics (WMA) defines a permanent resident as someone who has lived in the Philippines for at least three (3) years.
2. What age qualifies as a Masters athlete?
Masters athletics is open to athletes aged 35 and above.
Age categories are organized in 5-year age groups (e.g. 35–39, 40–44, 45–49, etc.), based on the athlete's age on the day of competition.
3. Do I need to be a member of NMSAAP to compete internationally?
Yes.
Athletes must be active members of NMSAAP in order to be eligible to represent the Philippines at international masters competitions, subject to eligibility rules set by World Masters Athletics and the event organizer.
4. How do I become a member of NMSAAP?
You can apply for membership by completing the online registration form at nmsaap.com/membership and paying the applicable membership fee.
Once approved, members receive an official digital NMSAAP membership ID card via email and eligibility to compete in sanctioned international events.
5. Can foreign nationals living in the Philippines compete for the Philippines?
Yes.
Foreign nationals may represent the Philippines if they qualify as permanent residents, meaning they have legally resided in the Philippines for at least three (3) consecutive years, in accordance with World Masters Athletics (WMA) rules.
6. Can I represent another country if I am a citizen of the Philippines?
Generally, no.
Athletes may represent only one country at international masters competitions, based on citizenship or permanent residency, and any change of representation must comply with World Masters Athletics regulations.
7. Are NMSAAP members required to wear a national uniform?
Yes.
Athletes representing the Philippines at international competitions are expected to wear the official Philippine or NMSAAP uniform, in accordance with event regulations and national representation standards.
8. Does NMSAAP organize local competitions?
Yes.
NMSAAP supports and organizes local and national masters athletics competitions (PMAC and PMIAC), and also sanctions selected events in partnership with regional organizers.
9. Are performances eligible for national records?
Yes.
Performances achieved at sanctioned competitions may be considered for Philippine masters records, subject to verification and compliance with competition rules.
10. Where can I find official rules and eligibility guidelines?
Eligibility rules and competition standards are governed by World Masters Athletics (WMA) and individual event organizers: https://world-masters-athletics.org
NMSAAP aligns its policies with these international rules to ensure fair and consistent competition.
11. What is Age-Grading?
World Masters Athletics (WMA) has established a set of standards and formulas for comparing performances of people in different age groups.
In 1999, Howard Grubb of the Department of Applied Statistics at the UK's University of Reading posted his first Age-Grading Calculator, now updated for 2015. It is here:
https://www.howardgrubb.co.uk/athletics/wmalookup15.html
It's a measure of how high you rank in your own age group — a formula often used in major meets. If you're classified over 90% — you are world class in your age group. Marks over 80% are national class. Over 70% is regional class. Over 60% is local class. Marks below 60% are for the masters who just love to compete.
Just being able to participate in athletics at our age means that we are in the 95th percentile of the human species as far as fitness is concerned. Therefore, you have a lot to be proud of!
12. Is funding provided by NMSAAP to members for international competitions?
In general, self funding is the norm. Members pay for their own flights, accommodation, registration fees, food, taxi etc.
However every year, NMSAAP members with the highest age-grades will be provided with funding to help with such costs.
Members of NMSAAP are eligible to represent the Philippines at International competitions if they are Citizens of the Philippines or permanent residents.
World Masters Athletics (WMA) defines a permanent resident as someone who has lived in the Philippines for at least three (3) years.
2. What age qualifies as a Masters athlete?
Masters athletics is open to athletes aged 35 and above.
Age categories are organized in 5-year age groups (e.g. 35–39, 40–44, 45–49, etc.), based on the athlete's age on the day of competition.
3. Do I need to be a member of NMSAAP to compete internationally?
Yes.
Athletes must be active members of NMSAAP in order to be eligible to represent the Philippines at international masters competitions, subject to eligibility rules set by World Masters Athletics and the event organizer.
4. How do I become a member of NMSAAP?
You can apply for membership by completing the online registration form at nmsaap.com/membership and paying the applicable membership fee.
Once approved, members receive an official digital NMSAAP membership ID card via email and eligibility to compete in sanctioned international events.
5. Can foreign nationals living in the Philippines compete for the Philippines?
Yes.
Foreign nationals may represent the Philippines if they qualify as permanent residents, meaning they have legally resided in the Philippines for at least three (3) consecutive years, in accordance with World Masters Athletics (WMA) rules.
6. Can I represent another country if I am a citizen of the Philippines?
Generally, no.
Athletes may represent only one country at international masters competitions, based on citizenship or permanent residency, and any change of representation must comply with World Masters Athletics regulations.
7. Are NMSAAP members required to wear a national uniform?
Yes.
Athletes representing the Philippines at international competitions are expected to wear the official Philippine or NMSAAP uniform, in accordance with event regulations and national representation standards.
8. Does NMSAAP organize local competitions?
Yes.
NMSAAP supports and organizes local and national masters athletics competitions (PMAC and PMIAC), and also sanctions selected events in partnership with regional organizers.
9. Are performances eligible for national records?
Yes.
Performances achieved at sanctioned competitions may be considered for Philippine masters records, subject to verification and compliance with competition rules.
10. Where can I find official rules and eligibility guidelines?
Eligibility rules and competition standards are governed by World Masters Athletics (WMA) and individual event organizers: https://world-masters-athletics.org
NMSAAP aligns its policies with these international rules to ensure fair and consistent competition.
11. What is Age-Grading?
World Masters Athletics (WMA) has established a set of standards and formulas for comparing performances of people in different age groups.
In 1999, Howard Grubb of the Department of Applied Statistics at the UK's University of Reading posted his first Age-Grading Calculator, now updated for 2015. It is here:
https://www.howardgrubb.co.uk/athletics/wmalookup15.html
It's a measure of how high you rank in your own age group — a formula often used in major meets. If you're classified over 90% — you are world class in your age group. Marks over 80% are national class. Over 70% is regional class. Over 60% is local class. Marks below 60% are for the masters who just love to compete.
Just being able to participate in athletics at our age means that we are in the 95th percentile of the human species as far as fitness is concerned. Therefore, you have a lot to be proud of!
12. Is funding provided by NMSAAP to members for international competitions?
In general, self funding is the norm. Members pay for their own flights, accommodation, registration fees, food, taxi etc.
However every year, NMSAAP members with the highest age-grades will be provided with funding to help with such costs.