KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 — Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin was disappointed with the condition of the pitch at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil although it was upgraded recently at a cost of RM1.5 million. The Malaysia Cup final between Pahang and Johor Darul Ta’zim was the first big match held at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil after a new turf was laid recently.
Commenting on criticism by some about the condition of the pitch last night, Khairy said though the condition of the pitch did not disrupt the flow of the match, it was clear that the pitch was in a deplorable condition. Patches of turf was seen sprawled all over.
Khairy said the Johor Football Association had invited him to visit the newly upgraded pitch at the Larkin Stadium to find a solution to the grass condition in the National Stadium.
“The Tengku Mahkota of Johor (Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim) invited me to see the pitch at the Larkin Stadium and I will go there to inspect the condition, soon.
“If I find the grass at the Larkin Stadium suitable, we will use similar grass here,” he said after opening the Peoples’ Progressive Party’s (PPP) Youth Assembly, here today.
Khairy had instructed the National Stadium to be closed for repairs last year after complaints that the condition of the pitch was unplayable, forcing the match between Malaysia and Barcelona to be switched to the Shah Alam Stadium at the 11th hour.
The Barcelona players, including World Player of the Year, Lionel Messi, had refused to play at the National Stadium due to the condition of the field.
Khairy said two types of grass - Cow grass and Bermuda Green Mountain – had been used at the National Stadium in the past. — Bernama
