Bukit Jalil National Stadium is set to be undergoing a major upgrade, and it’s all thanks to Tunku Mahkota Johor (TMJ), Tunku Ismail Idris ibni Sultan Ibrahim!
Taking to Johor Southern Tigers’ official socials today (Thursday, 10th March), the Crown Prince of Johor revealed that he will be gifting the national stadium with the Zeon Zoysia type grass to replace the old cow grass for its football pitch.
“I have decided to sponsor the cost for a new pitch as a gift to the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. It will be the Zeon Zoysia type grass, like at the Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) FC’s Sultan Ibrahim Stadium. I have instructed the JDT management to assist the Malaysia Stadium Corporation in ensuring the national stadium has a quality pitch fit for international football,” the JDT FC owner said in his statement.
His Royal Highness added by writing, “However, I would like to request the stadium authorities to ensure the pitch is well maintained and any non-sporting use of the pitch should only be carried out if proper measures are in place to ensure the pitch is not damaged.”
According to a report by The Vibes, a source familiar with Zeon Zoysia type grass, however, noted that it is not going to be easy to maintain the football pitch, as the stadium management will need to fork out RM300,000 for maintenance cost for the pitch.
“The maintenance depends on how often the pitch is utilised. It can be done weekly – or even daily – depending on the number of matches being played,” the insider was quoted as saying. For those who are curious, it’s understood that the cost to build the football field is estimated to be around RM1.5 million.
Sources: Harimau Malaya, The Vibes.
