Optimal Athletics partners with SM to introduce innovative sports ideas
OPTIMAL Athletics Inc. (OAI) is a sports recreational startup company that aims to promote sports, recreational and social activities as well as to construct and establish recreational sports facilities. It is founded by CEO and President Kevin James Olayvar and Chairman Raf Gastador.
OAI wants to be known as an influential and significant group that delivers innovative experiences in the sports industry, helping push the development of sports further with next-level ideas.
The first major project is a football pitch located at SM Cherry in Mandaluyong, supported by venue partner, SM Malls — Cherry Turf. It is seen to innovate both the football scene in the Philippines with the first rooftop football pitch using FIFA preferred producer, Limonta Artificial Turf, and introducing a game-changing mall experience, in partnership with SM Mall.
The partnership plans on creating a league/series that would become the staple event of Cherry Turf, with a plan to engage existing communities and also incite interest and create new groups with the community to experience football. It also plans to have multiple levels for everyone to enjoy from kids to working adults and catering to all levels of experience: beginner, intermediate and professional.
The entire rooftop is poised to be developed not only to focus on the pitch but also to create an environment that’s welcoming for both football and non-football enthusiasts, a place where people can sit back, relax, eat and drink while watching people play football.
This project would push innovation in the sports scene in the Philippines, not just in football but in other sports as well. It would be opening an opportunity that would soon be discovered and explored. OAI is eyeing to be the pioneer of this kind of setup.
Cherry Turf is expected to open on Dec. 9, 2022.