National Stadium to close from tomorrow for pitch restoration
The Youth and Sports Ministry does not want further delay to restore the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil after the quality of the pitch became a hot topic during the 2023 Asian Cup Qualifiers going on now.
Its minister Ahmad Faizal Azumu said the stadium would be closed from tomorrow (June 15) for restoration works to start immediately, compared to initial plans to close at the end of March 2023.
The Youth and Sports Ministry does not want further delay to restore the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil after the quality of the pitch became a hot topic during the 2023 Asian Cup Qualifiers.
Its minister Ahmad Faizal Azumu said the stadium would be closed from tomorrow (June 15) for restoration works to start immediately, compared to initial plans to close at the end of March 2023.
“The ministry views the quality of the field as well as the National Stadium facilities seriously and we cannot continue to put the country’s dignity in jeopardy by delaying the appropriate actions.
“The quality of the pitch as well as facilities should be handled fast and comprehensively. The current condition needs quick action and the situation is very pressing and should not be delayed,” he said in a statement today.
Malaysia is organising the Group E qualifying round of the 2023 Asian Cup at the National Stadium which began on June 8 when Bahrain crushed Bangladesh 2-0, while Harimau Malaya trounced Turkmenistan 3-1.
The field’s poor quality with stagnated water emerged after a downpour before the start of the second match between Malaysia, which is ranked 154, and world number 89 Bahrain on Saturday (June 11) which sparked dissatisfaction among several parties
It was even more embarrassing when several workers were seen trying to scoop stagnant water from the surface of the field manually before the start of the match in the full view of spectators which tarnished the country’s image on the international stage.
In the last group matches today, Bahrain met Turkmenistan, while Harimau Malaya faced Bangladesh and won 4-1 allowing the team to qualify for the 2023 Asian Cup.
In March, Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who is also the owner of Johor Darul Ta’zim FC (JDT) said he would sponsor the cost of planting new grass at the National Stadium as a gift to the home ground of Harimau Malaya.
In a statement on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook, he said the Zeon Zoysia grass that will be planted is similar to the grass at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium field owned by JDT in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.
- Bernama
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