KUALA LUMPUR: The National Stadium in Bukit Jalil will get a new pitch, thanks to the Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
This was shared on the official Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page. Tunku Ismail made the decision following a meeting with Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and Asian Football Confederation secretary-general Datuk Seri Windsor John.
"The post-mortem conducted on the Bukit Jalil National Stadium pitch has highlighted that a hybrid pitch will better serve the demands of a multi-purpose stadium as its durability and flexibility caters for both sporting and non-sporting events.
"In view of this and the successful research being conducted by Johor Darul Ta'zim FC at Larkin, His Royal Highness Tunku Ismail, the Regent of Johor agreed to donate the hybrid pitch currently being grown at the Tan Sri Dato' Haji Hassan Yunos Stadium to the National Stadium," the post read.
The National Stadium's current Zeon Zoysia pitch, which was donated by Tunku Ismail previously, will be transferred to the National Sports Council field at KL Sports City.
This is the second donation of a pitch from JDT owner Tunku Ismail after his first donation of the Zeon Zoysia grass to replace the cow grass at the National Stadium.
Football fans have voiced concerns over the pitch's condition at Bukit Jalil following concerts by Coldplay and Ed Sheeran there since last November.
This has led to the Youth and Sports Ministry issuing a moratorium banning installation of stage structures for concerts on the pitch until the grass conditions reach a satisfactory level.
FAM vice-president Firdaus Mohamed expressed the national association's gratitude to Tunku Ismail for his donation of the hybrid grass to the National Stadium.
Firdaus said they will monitor the condition of the pitch as a concert is scheduled to be held there in May.
He hopes the pitch will be ready for Harimau Malaya's World Cup
Group D campaign in June.