KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim promised to bear the costs for a new football pitch at KL Sports City in March last year, and today he officiated the opening ceremony.
Witnessed by Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, the zeon zoysia grass — the type that is used at JDT's Sultan Ibrahim Stadium — was inspected by Tunku Ismail who then gave it the thumbs-up.
The cost of the grass was not revealed although it is said to be around RM1.5 million. But the upgrading of the drainage system, the running track, machines and maintenance equipment as well as facade, cost RM4.79 million.
"We can't disclose the cost of the grass as it's a gift from Tunku Ismail, but the upgrade of facilities in and around the stadium cost around RM4.7 million.
"Tunku was happy with what he saw, but in the end, professional footballers will have the final say on how good the pitch is when Malaysia play India in the Merdeka Cup, tomorrow.
"Also, the contractor has a one-year maintenance agreement, and it includes keeping the pitch damage free when other events like concerts are hosted at the stadium," said Yeoh.
During the one-year period, the Stadium Board will be taught by the contractors on managing the stadium for sports, concerts and other activities.
"For example, the contractors have said that there is a period before and after a concert that must be adhered to so that the grass does not die. This is a multi-purpose venue, and we need such specialty to keep the grass as well as other facilities in good condition," said Yeoh.
There is also an area where the grass seeds will be grown as a replacement for KLSC as well as for other stadiums around the country, if states want to have an international standard football pitch. But it comes with a catch.
"The zeon zoysia grass from the Stadium Board's planting site can be given to other states if there is a request, but they need to fork out money for the other costs like drainage or whatever requirements at their stadiums to plant it successfully," said Yeoh.