KUALA LUMPUR: First it was a new apparel lineup. Now national squash player Azlan Iskandar is taking his business skills to the next level with the introduction of the Azlan Iskandar Squash Academy (Aisa) scheduled to open soon.

Azlan would be the first playing athlete in the country to initiate such a set up, which has received the blessings from the Sports Ministry and the National Sports Council (NSC).

Squash queen Nicol David and top shuttler Lee Chong Wei have expressed their interest in setting up an academy in their respective sports only after retiring.

The Kuching-born Azlan, who was the losing finalist of the Motor City Open in Detroit two days ago, is set to unveil his venture to the public before the KL Open in March.

In Detroit, Azlan lost 11-3, 11-7, 11-4 to Egyptian ace Karim Darwish in the final and is currently playing in the Bluenose Classic in Nova Scotia, Canada. Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek acknowledged having met Azlan during his trip to London recently.

"Yes, we did meet and he told me of his intentions to set up a squash academy. He only requested our blessings and we’re happy to give him all the support he needs,” said Shabery.

Sources close to Azlan said it has been the player's dream to set up an academy but he has no intentions of quitting competitive squash. It was learnt that the academy will be in KL. On Jan 18, Mailsport in its article, "Azlan gets trendy", revealed that the top national player is coming up with his line of sports attire called My.Kit.

Several junior players have been identified to don the outfit as Azlan plans to "market" his designer sportswear to other sports.