By Edwin Rollon
Football in the sky, Wanna have a try?
For Esports International Incorporated, playing football can be possible anytime and anywhere, even on a rooftop.
The company that made nine out of 11 (International Football Federation) FIFA-certified football fields made another milestone on its high-end portfolio in building world-class sports facilities with the launch of Cherry Turf -- the first-ever football pitch at the rooftop of the Cherry-SM Malls – in the bustling business area along Show Boulevard in Mandaluyong City.
This was made possible in partnership with young entrepreneur Kevin James Olayvar.
“The goal is to keep building sports facilities for our Filipino athletes. It’s the heart and soul of E-Sports. Every time we build a facility, field, or track. We always have our athletes in mind,” said Audris Romualdez, Esports Managing Director.
Esports, as the country’s leading builder of football pitches, is committed to developing a training hub for sports enthusiasts and Filipino athletes.
Currently, ESports, the leading sports architecture and recreational solutions provider in the Philippines is the company behind the construction of nine world-class football fields in the country. Among those is the refurbished Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila – the site of some of the most unforgettable games of Team Philippines Azkals and Malditas.
The University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman field in Quezon City, the University of Makati pitch, the Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna, the Lipa field in Batangas, and the San Carlos pitch in Negros Occidental are just some of the majestic projects of Esports.
“We’re all over the country,” stressed Pam Romualdez, the company’s General Manager.
Though not FIFA-certified because of its sizes, E-Sports is also behind the construction of the scenic Emperador Stadium at Mckinley Hill, and the pitch at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.
“Magaling ang mga atleta natin. They deserved to train and play in a world-class sports facility. And we are here to support all sports organizations, to give something that lasts long. Building a venue for them to enjoy and hone their skills,” said Romualdez.
"It's our way of giving back to the community so that our athletes don't need to go abroad to train with these international standard facilities. We believe that our athletes are world-class. They need support,” she added.
Aside from football pitches, E-Sports builds world-class oval tracks, tennis and badminton courts, basketball courts, multi-purpose gyms, fitness centers, jogging paths, playgrounds, and swimming pools.
This year, E-Sports will add two more pitches including the Cherry Turf.
Pam said Esports used an artificial turf system from FIFA duly accredited producer, the LIMONTA SPORT.
“Good thing here, sa lahat ng mga ginawa naming sports facilities kasama naming itinuturo sa owner yung proper maintenance and then iniiwan namin pati yung mga equipment,” said Romualdez.
For his part, Olayvar expressed his gratitude to Esports management which he called a ‘true partner’.
“When we decided to put up a football pitch, Esports supported us. Yung kanilang vision not just of business aspect but for community services, talagang apektado kami, that’s why we decided to send communication to Gawad Kalinga to consider Cherry Turf as its venue for their football program and activities for grassroots sports development,” said Olayvar.
With some finishing touches left in the main clubhouse, – Cherry Turf hosted a charity 7-a-side match with Gawad Kalinga scholars, media, and Cherry staff as participants.
Team Tiyaga and Team Sipag clashed in a friendly match, but a sudden downpour halted the game which was later decided by a shootout with the latter won, 3-2.
“Hindi na namin tinapos ang laro baka kayo sipunin,” joked Pam after the break. “It’s an all-weather turf kaya safe maglaro kahit maulan, huwag lang kikidlat, tuloy ang kasiyahan,” she added.
It's truly, a great experience for a football wannabe like me. And for everyone who wants to try, drop by Cheery Turf and schedule a game for your friends and family.
