PUTRAJAYA: Only Sarawak has accepted the Youth and Sports Ministry's offer to help replant its football stadium with zeon zoysia grass.
Minister Hannah Yeoh today said Terengganu, Federal Territories and Pahang had rejected the offer.
Yeoh said this after chairing the state youth and sports exco coordination meeting here.
"We will start with Sarawak first. Sabah, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, Melaka, Perak and Negri Sembilan have asked for more time before making a decision
"They want to study whether it is suitable to use zeon zoysia in their states because there are a number of factors they have to consider.
"This is includes the drainage system upgrading, which is required.
"They also want to see how the National Stadium (Bukit Jalil) fares after it is replanted with zeon zoysia. This is expected to be completed in September or October."
Sarawak, however, had yet to decide which of its stadiums will be replanted with zeon zoysia, she said.
She said the ministry would cover the costs of the new grass, but the states must upgrade their drainage system and other works.
Most stadium in Malaysia use cow grass (axonopus compressus), which, in a football context, is inferior to zeon zoysia.