Squash events in peril for SEA Games

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Squash Academy president Bob Bachmann said yesterday unless a decision is made this week as to where to source the timberwood floor and glass back wall, construction of the country’s first public squash courts may not be finished in time for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games late this year.

 If the courts aren’t completed, Bachmann said the six squash events in the SEA Games will be trimmed to three. The six events are men’s singles, men’s jumbo doubles, women’s singles, women’s jumbo doubles, mixed doubles and mixed team (three men, two women). The country has no jumbo doubles nor doubles court at the moment but if finished on time, the Rizal squash facilities will include both.

 The singles court is 6.4 meters wide and 9.75 meters long. The jumbo doubles court is 7.62 meters wide and 13.72 meters long. The doubles court is 8.42 meters wide and 9.75 meters long. The Rizal blueprint provides for two singles courts adjustable to one doubles and one jumbo doubles. “I had them reinforce the foundation and raise the roof to accommodate an additional three singles courts with movable walls to adjust to two more doubles courts in the future,” said Bachmann.

 The PSC awarded the contract to build the courts to M. E. Sicat Construction whose bid was P65 million. Bachmann said a provision of P13 million for the floor and glass back wall is adequate to conform to World Squash Federation (WSF) standards. Construction began last August and is now in full swing.

 Bachmann said there is still no clarity on which WSF-accredited supplier to tap for the floor and glass back wall. “We know of only four WSF-accredited suppliers in the world,” he said. “One of the suppliers is represented by Zainal Abidin, a Singapore squash legend who’s a long-time friend of Philippine squash. Some weeks ago, Tina Ignacio, who works for a trading company affiliated with M. E. Sicat, met with Zainal in Manila and tried to negotiate a deal for the floor and glass wall. It will take 45 days to ship and release the supplies and three weeks to install. So a decision has to be made this week to beat the deadline. Otherwise, we air-freight the supplies to reduce shipping time or we scrap the jumbo and doubles events.”

 PSC executive director Atty. Guillermo Iroy said the squash contractor is now abroad to procure the floor and glass back wall. “I’ve told Bob that his specs, as required by PSC, will be installed,” said Iroy. “Our only concern is whether the supplies will be delivered before the Games. But they’ve assured us accordingly. We have to make the deadline kasi sayang mga events, baka mag-gold tayo.” Iroy said he’s optimistic the six events will be preserved.

 Bachmann said it will be unfair to the participating countries if the six events are reduced to three at the last minute. “Indonesia plans to train for jumbo doubles in Thailand and our team is also scheduled to train for jumbo doubles in Thailand for two weeks,” he said. “If the Rizal courts aren’t finished on time, we’ll play the men’s singles, women’s singles and mixed team events at Kerry Sports in BGC. Unless a decision is made on the supplier this week, we could end up with a building but no squash courts when the SEA Games begin.”

 Bachmann said PSC has designated a “perfect” location for the squash courts. “It’s in the parking lot in between the Ninoy Aquino Stadium and track oval,” he said. “This will be the first public squash courts in the country and we’re grateful to PSC for making it happen.”