There were smiles all around after the newly-laid Zeon Zoysia turf at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, was unveiled earlier today.
The Malaysia Stadium Corporation (MSC) spent nearly RM4.8 million to upgrade the facilities around the stadium, including installing a new drainage system, electric cables, and special machines to help the grass get enough light.
Of that amount, RM2,213,851.10 was for field construction and maintenance by Talenttwo (M) Sdn Bhd, and RM2.5 million for machinery and field maintenance equipment for a year, including a 9,000sq ft nursery.
It also spent RM47,500 on a new pipeline installation and cable lines from the pump house, with an additional RM33,925 to connect electrical cables.
That figure does not include the cost of the Zeon Zoysia grass. The Crown Prince of Johor, Tunku Ismail Ibrahim, who pledged to foot the bill of the new pitch, had told the media on March 19, that the cost would be between RM1.2 and RM1.4 million.
Over the years, millions had been spent to upgrade the pitch at the National Stadium, with the last one being in 2015.
Tunku Ismail was joined by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, the ministry’s secretary-general Dr K. Nagulendran, and MSC chairman, Datuk Hans Isaac, and its chief executive officer Mohd Faidz Sanusi to inspect the new pitch this afternoon.
The best assessment of the new pitch, however, will come after tomorrow’s Pestabola Merdeka match, between Malaysia and India.
“Tunku Ismail is pleased with the pitch, and all of us are also happy that it is ready for tomorrow’s big match,” said Yeoh.
“However, the players who play on it tomorrow would be the best to assess the pitch. For now, it looks perfect. If all goes well, we will look at using the Zeon Zoysia grass for the Panasonic Stadium in Shah Alam, too.”
Yeoh said the ministry had spoken to other states on using Zeon Zoysia to replace the problematic cowgrass at stadiums.
So far, only Sarawak has accepted the offer.
“Several other states want to see how we maintain the pitch at the National Stadium. We had had many issues in the past, but that is because we did not use the Zeon Zoysia grass,” she said.
“I understand cost is a factor as the states will have to upgrade their facilities, so maybe they are waiting to see if it is worth the investment.”
Yeoh did not reveal the exact figure when asked how much Tunku Ismail had invested in the laying of the new pitch, adding it was a “gift from him and that he should be the one announcing it.”
Faidz said MSC’s priority for events is sports, followed by community events and other commercial activities.
Faidz, however, said concerts would continue at the stadium, but only if they did not clash with football matches.
For example, United Kingdom’s supergroup Coldplay’s concert at the stadium is on Nov 6, and the Malaysia Cup final is on Dec 9.
“With the new grass, we only need a three-day turnaround time to get the pitch ready,” said Faidz.
“Moreover, with the (9,000sq ft) nursery, we can repair any damaged parts on the field quickly.”
Faidz said the running track around the pitch inside the stadium was fully booked by schools for their Sports Day.
“We only allow them to use the facilities for the track events. The response has been tremendous, and it does not interfere with the national team’s schedule, as the schools can only use the track on weekdays,” said Faidz.