KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 — The Kuala Lumpur Badminton Association (KLBA) is looking for the Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) approval to use the newly-built DBKL Cheras badminton arena by early next year.
Its president Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos said the association is still discussing with DBKL to use the arena’s facilities.
A private developer fully bore the arena’s cost to replace the Kuala Lumpur badminton stadium, which was demolished in 2017 to construct a luxury condominium project.
KLBA, DBKL, and the developer held discussions before development took place, with the developer agreeing to pay a certain amount of money every month to the association as compensation until the new venue is ready.
“The purpose of the compensation (given) was for expenses and to find an alternative venue for training and competition. So now that the academy is ready, we did not get that compensation…the challenge we face is that in four months we will be independent when we can find our own money.
“I think DBKL is also aware of the problems we are facing, and hopefully, we will be able to finish the discussion and be given the permission to use (the new venue) within the next two months so that more development programmes can be carried out,” he said.
Jahaberdeen was speaking to the press after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Guangdong Badminton Association from China at the Titiwangsa Stadium ealier today.
According to media reports, the developer handed over the Cheras badminton arena, which was built for RM20 million, to DBKL in July.
On the singing, with Guangdong BA president Deng Zaoqiang in conjunction with the KL Masters tournament, he said it covers various aspects, including the exchange of players for joint training and technical aspects after establishing a partnership with Banthongyord Badminton School of Thailand in July 2022.
Jahaberdeen hopes that via cooperation with Guangdong, which has produced players like men’s Olympic doubles champion Fu Hai Feng and four-time women’s doubles world champion Chen Qing Chen, it can improve the quality of badminton, not only in Kuala Lumpur but also nationwide.
“While our players are generally good in skills and physical, we often hear they are lacking slightly in mental (strength). That is something we really hope to learn from China.
“According to our initial plan, the earliest we plan to go there is next February or March. We will also look at our financial capacity to see how many players we can send,” he said.
— Bernama
