ISKANDAR PUTERI, Jan 9 — The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) is offering RM7 million in grants to all states so they can upgrade the drainage systems and plant grass in selected stadiums.
Its minister Hannah Yeoh said the grants are intended to improve and enhance the quality of fields, ensuring Malaysia League matches can run smoothly, especially during the rainy season.
Of the RM7 million offered, each state would receive RM500,000, with RM300,000 for drainage system upgrades and RM200,000 for grass planting.
She added that Johor Darul Ta’zim Football Club (JDT) owner Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has also agreed to contribute RM300,000 to each state to maintain the pitches once they were upgraded.
“Each state needs to choose one stadium, and the project for upgrading the drainage system and pitch must be completed before April this year.
“After all the works have been carried out by the state governments which receive the grant, only then will the RM300,000 donation offer from Tunku Ismail be given for maintenance purposes for a year,” she said.
Yeoh was speaking at a press conference after chairing the Malaysia League Management Meeting and Stadium and Venue Management Briefing for the 2024-2025 Malaysia League Season today.
Tunku Ismail also attended the meeting, accompanied by Malaysian Football League (MFL) president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan, MFL chief executive officer Datuk Stuart Ramalingam and relevant state executive councillors nationwide.
At the same time, the minister said the selection of grass types other than cowgrass is encouraged.
All the state executive councillors who were present at the meeting welcomed the offer given by KBS, expressing hope the state governments will continue to cooperate in the effort to advance Malaysian sports.
Meanwhile, Tunku Ismail said the KBS grant offered is the result of discussions between him and Yeoh last year.
“I emphasised the importance of quality football infrastructure. I hope to see infrastructure throughout the country improve and meet international standards,” said the Crown Prince of Johor in a statement.
— Bernama
