KUALA LUMPUR: With its impending planned demolition before the year ends, the Shah Alam Stadium nestled in Section 13, Shah Alam is more than just a structure for the people of Selangor.
With a history that spans over three decades, since it was officially opened on July 16 1994, the iconic stadium holds a special place in the hearts of Selangor residents, especially those in Shah Alam.
In its glory days, the 83,000-capacity stadium played host to a plethora of notable sports, tournament and entertainment events, along with being home to 33-time Malaysia Cup champions Selangor, nicknamed the Red Giants.
Among the significant events it has hosted include the Bon Jovi concert on May 4, 1995, and the British metal band Deep Purple on May 1, 1999.
Los Angeles band Maroon 5 also graced its stage on Sept 20, 2012, filling the stadium with electrifying performances.
For football enthusiasts, the Shah Alam Stadium was a ground where legends were born.
It was the venue for numerous Malaysia Cup finals that stirred emotions and brought passion to fans like no other.
The roars of the crowd, the dramatic goals and the jubilation of the winning team were etched into the stadium's history, forever remembered by those who witnessed these epic battles.
Among them was 29-year-old Hafizuddin Mohamed who could not help but reminisce the fond memories he had made within its walls as a football fan.
"I have been coming to the Shah Alam Stadium for the Malaysia Cup finals since I was in secondary school until my university days. At the stadium, I saw my favourite players celebrate victories and even mourned losses with my friends and other fans.
"The stadium holds countless stories of triumph and heartbreak for me and many others. It's heartbreaking to see it go."
Checks on X (formerly Twitter) saw users, who used to go to the stadium, having mixed feelings of sadness and understanding.
User @DrumRamon said: "My dad used to bring me to the stadium back then. It was during the legendary era of Azman Adnan. I'll never forget the feeling."
User @osman_EX5Hitam wrote: "This stadium, what a nostalgia."
However, as the years passed, Stadium Shah Alam faced increasing competition from newer and larger venues, most notably Stadium Bukit Jalil.
In recent years, the stadium also made headlines due to a poor pitch, leaking roof and rotting structure, rendering it unsafe.
It also forced Selangor out of their home and into the MBPJ Stadium.
When the big Klang Valley flood hit late 2021, it saw the pitch inundated for two weeks for the second time, with the first time being in 2015.
Once the pride of Selangor, the dilapidated 29-year-old stadium is getting repaired at last.
Yesterday (Sept 30), Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said that the planning permission to demolish the stadium and replace it with the new state-of-the-art Shah Alam Stadium Complex would be issued early next month (Nov).
He said demolition works will proceed as soon as approval is given for the purpose, with the new stadium expected to be completed in 2026.
On June 29 last year, Amirudin in a post on Twitter (now X) wrote: "The decision to redevelop the stadium will be announced shortly. The entire development of the Shah Alam Stadium Complex, including the Malawati Stadium will be implemented based on the evaluation results of a special committee (put together to look into the redevelopment plan)."
While the physical structure of Stadium Shah Alam may soon be reduced to rubble, its legacy will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of those who experienced its magic.