Philippine squash team head coach Wee Wern Low. Kennedy Caacbay, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA – Philippine squash team head coach Wee Wern Low expressed optimism as the squad pumps up preparations for the Olympic Games.

For the first time, the sport will be included in the program for the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. 

Similar to racquetball, it is a racket sport played in a four-walled court.

Squash is one of the five new games in the Games alongside baseball or softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and T20 cricket, according to the Olympics website.

The national team coach said "it's very possible to qualify," but obtaining a medal would be a "whole different level."

"Honestly, qualifying for it would be an achievement itself," Low told ABS-CBN News on Tuesday at the sidelines of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

With four years at their disposal, Low said national team members should rise to the top 30 or 40 in the world because each category is played with only 32 players. Notably, Reymark Begonia is currently ranked 212 in the globe—already the best men's squash player in the country.

"At this point in time, as you heard, their highest world ranking is 200 plus in the world. This is the Olympics. There are only 32 players per category, so you have to be in the top 30 in the world or in the top 40 at best. From now until then, we have four years to try and get them closer to that number," Low added.

"I think for them to qualify would be a goal itself on its own. I don't think it's impossible. It will be tough, but I think it's possible," she went on.

"To win a medal, it's a whole different level. But to just be able to qualify for it I think it's very possible if we have the right support to help them gather more ranking points in the next coming years."

Low, a Malaysian squash star and former World No. 5, expressed joy as the sport finally cracked the Olympics. She played it professionally for 18 years.

"It's amazing for the sport. We've spent so many years trying to get into the Olympics and it's finally there," she said. "I'm hoping that there will be a best showcase for the sport."

After her retirement, Low was tapped to be the chief mentor of the Philippine squash team.

During the PSA Forum, Low shared that there's still no definite roadmap for the Olympics as they wait for the qualifications slated to be released by the World Squash Federation in 2025.

"We are still waiting on the exact qualifications, which will be out next year. The World Squash Federation will announce how the qualification will be for LA 2028," Low said.

Philippine Squash Academy, led by federation president Robert Bachmann, will be hosting two international tournaments — the Philippine Satellite and Challenge tournaments — as part of its dry run for the qualifiers.