Decathlon Philippines officially opens its first store today, in Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila.

Covering 3000 sqm on the ground floor of Alabang’s Festival Mall, the store stocks goods for 70 different types of sports, including national and traditional sports like arnis and sipa.

Before buying, customers can try out products in the store’s 400 sqm playground.

Sports activities will also be organised in the store to promote healthy living and fitness.

Founded in 1976, the French sports equipment and apparel retailer has more than 1200 stores in more than 30 countries. Its debut branch in the Philippines is its 16th store in Southeast Asia. Over the next decade, Decathlon plans to expand to such key cities as Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Legazpi.

Decathlon Philippines gives underprivileged youth the chance to become Decathlon employees after training. As part of this vision, the company is seeking to collaborate with these youngsters for the design and development of goods tailored for the Philippine market.

“The company places particular emphasis on recruiting people who share our company values: passionate about sports, service-minded and autonomous,” says Decathlon Philippines CEO Hans Iff. “Managers at Decathlon work closely with their staff members, encouraging them to make decisions and take on more responsibilities.”

The company is also looking to make some of its products in the Philippines. “We aim to set up factories in the near future for the production of goods sold locally,” says Iff.

There are also plans to locally produce a Bluetooth communication kit for Easybreath, the company’s innovative snorkelling mask that lets users breathe through their nose.