Football enthusiasts look out—there’s a new turf in town

Filipinos are big on sports, with basketball and volleyball among crowd favorites. But over the years, Football in the Philippines has gained significant traction among fans, especially when the Team Azkals started to represent the country in international leagues.

It’s this passion for football that fueled Optimal Athletics Inc. head honchos Kevin James Olayvar and Raf Gastador to start a next-level project that will push for the development of not just Football but also the Philippine sports industry.

Optimal Athletics Inc. is a sports recreational start-up company that aims to promote sports, recreational, and social activities through the construction and establishment of recreational sports facilities.

“We want 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,” shares Olayvar.

The company’s first major project is a football pitch located at SM Cherry Shaw in Mandaluyong, supported by venue partner, SM Malls. The project is the first of its kind in the country, as it is the first rooftop football pitch using FIFA’s preferred producer, LIMONTA Artificial Turf. Dubbed as Cherry Turf Philippines, it will provide a game-changing mall experience for all SM mall goers, kids, and adults alike.

The concept is to develop the entire rooftop not just to become a football pitch, but 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 football games.

Optimal Athletics has an existing community of football enthusiasts built from various organized events around the metro. It has shared plans to create a league that would become the staple event at Cherry Turf Philippines, engaging existing communities and inciting interest among non-enthusiasts.

ADVT.