Squash center to rise soon

KUALA LUMPUR – On the heels of the Philippines’ finest showing in squash in the 29th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG), an ambitious plan to build a national squash center is being mulled by the new leadership of the Philippine Squash Academy.

Robert Bachmann, who took over the squash federation in late 2015, said he has held preliminary talks with possible investors for the center which can house eight regular courts with movable walls, a jumbo squash court and a championship glass court.

“The cost is in the vicinity of 135 million including the warehouse. All we need is 1,500-square meter of land,” he said.

Bachmann said Makati would be an ideal location because of the expats that play the sport regularly.

“The center would be self-sustaining with plans to rent out shops around the center,” he said.

On Tuesday, the national team nearly completed a breakthrough in the sport.

The men’s squad reached the final for the first time and did it by eliminating powerhouse Malaysia in the semifinals Monday.

The landmark win can be likened to Malaysia beating the men’s basketball team.