The Squash Rackets Association of the Philippines (SRAP) held another successful Celebrity Squash Tournament awhile back with a record number of participants enjoying friendly competition in one afternoon.
The yearly event was even more significant this year because the group promoted the Squash 2020 drive, which is to raise as much awareness for the sport as possible, for its possible inclusion in the coming Olympic Games in the year 2020.
One sport will be included in the roster of sports to be played and squash is in the final cut. Other celebrities from around the world have been trying to make their own push for the sport, but none bigger than the man regarded as the greatest tennis player to have ever lived — Roger Federer.
Apparently, he grew up playing the sport, among his many other interests, and so he has been openly campaigning to bring squash to the Olympic Games.
SRAP is the governing body of the sport here in the country and is recognized by the National Sports Association.
For the uninitiated, squash is a racket sport that is played on an enclosed four-walled court. The ball can be bounced off any wall within the marked lines, but every shot must come off the front wall before hitting the ground. It is normally played by two players; the purpose of the game is to win points by ensuring that your opponent is unable to return your shot before the ball bounces twice.
There were the usual suspects like Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez, Phoemela Baranda, Quinito and Menchu Henson, Architect Gil Coscolluela, Manolet Dario, Rissa Trillo, and yours truly.
And some new faces like former national football player Azkal Anton del Rosario, Ana Amigo-Antonio, retired PBA player Dino Aldeguer, TV host Reema Chanco, and photographer Gutsy Tuason.
There were fantastic raffle prizes given out during the awarding ceremonies, which saw the Nike Park Team, composed of Guillermo Aponte (GM of sponsor Powerade/Coca Cola Phils), SRAP president Atty. Alan Tantoco, Ana Amigo-Antonio, SRAP directors Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez, Phoemela Baranda, Jovie Vilar, and your columnist winning the overall trophy.
The event was backed by Fincap Securities, Inc., Manila Polo Club, Powerade, Unilever, Nestlé, Planet Sports, Nike Park, Head, Greenfield Development Corporation, Jewelmer, TdLG, Squires Bingham Sports, Fresh Papaya Soap, and Mizuno.