KUALA LUMPUR – The Youth and Sports Ministry is calling all states to upgrade their main stadiums by taking advantage of the RM500,000 grant that the federal government has allocated to each state.
The ministry said today that the proposal, which was announced in January, was affirmed through yesterday’s coordination meeting involving the minister and state youth development and sports executive council.
According to the ministry’s statement, the project to upgrade a stadium picked as the main venue for each state is to lay the groundwork for the Malaysia League (M-League) football season, in addition to “water-proofing” the pitch to ensure the football field has good drainage with no stagnation or flooding during rainy spells.
“A state government that has agreed, needs to commit to a number of things which is to determine the choice of stadium after getting the views of the Malaysian Football League (MFL).
“RM300,000 from the allocation is to upgrade the field drainage system and use the services of a reputable contractor that meets the standards outlined by MFL,” it said.
The statement said RM200,000 of the allocation should be used to upgrade the pitch by changing from cowgrass to fine-blade grass, while zeon zoysia is advocated.
In the meantime, the meeting also suggested that the state government discuss with the respective local authorities to review the licence fee rates charged for sports-related premises, especially gymnasiums and snooker centres.
According to the ministry, this is to promote the sports industry by reducing the operating costs incurred.
The Youth and Sports Ministry also touched on an amendment of the content of the Safe Sports Code by including a new element which is the prohibition of smoking including electronic cigarettes (vapes) during a sporting activity.
“Individuals or organisations involved in business related to electronic cigarette (vape) products are not allowed to organise, sponsor, promote, advertise, sell, give as gifts or place a trademark in any organisation of a sports event or conduct sports and youth activities,” the statement added. – February 27, 2024