KUALA LUMPUR: Former national player Datuk Dell Akbar Khan has raised concerns about the poor quality of the National Stadium's pitch and questioned the Malaysia Stadium Corporation (MSC) for its upkeep.
Fans were left disappointed after photos revealed visible brown patches on the pitch on Thursday.
The stadium hosted the Malaysia Cup final between Johor Darul Ta'zim and Terengganu on Friday.
Dell criticised the lack of a systematic calendar for the venue's usage, emphasising the need for proper planning, especially during non-football events, to preserve the field.
He pointed out that stadiums often seek alternative revenue sources due to limited yearly football matches, but the field should be maintained during other events.
"If they had a structured plan, they would know what to do week in and week out. You can't just patch grass and expect it to grow roots in days.
"Common sense says it will take months, but I'm no expert," said Dell, the former FA of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general.
He recommended the use of larger rolls of grass for stability.
"The lack of knowledge is concerning. The patching process is not being done properly."
He also criticised holding four major events simultaneously in Bukit Jalil over the same weekend, attributing it to poor planning.
"How can you have four events happening at once? How do you expect the police to handle everything? They are probably having a headache themselves," added Dell.
The four events are the Malaysia Cup final, the Malaysia Madani programme, the Junior World Cup and the Gegar Vaganza rehearsal.