KUALA LUMPUR — There is no need for a new stadium to host prestigious badminton events, as the Axiata Arena remains a world-class venue, says sports analyst Christopher Raj.
His comments came after the Axiata Arena’s roof leakage became a point of concern on the opening day of the ongoing Malaysia Open.
Heavy rain caused water to drip onto Courts 2 and 3, disrupting matches and frustrating fans.
The leak led to delays in the women’s doubles match between Malaysia’s Go Pei Kee and Teoh Mei Xing and China’s Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian, as well as in the men’s singles match between Canada’s Brian Yang and India’s H.S. Prannoy.
The Malaysian Stadium Corporation (PSM) later apologised, explaining that the Axiata Arena’s roof had not been renovated since the 1998 Commonwealth Games.
They assured that repairs would be completed before the tournament ends on January 12, with assistance from the Public Works Department.
The incident sparked outrage among local badminton fans, many of whom voiced their disappointment to Scoop and threatened to boycott the event if disruptions continued.
However, the issue resurfaced on the second day of the tournament when rain caused a brief delay during the men’s singles match between France’s Christo Popov and Japan’s Kodai Naraoka on Court 2.
Despite the concerns, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) told Scoop that there were no viable alternatives in the capital for hosting the Malaysia Open, which is why the event was held at Axiata Arena.
This raises the question: Should organisers look for alternative venues during the stadium’s renovation or continue using the outdated facility?
Christopher believes the Axiata Arena remains the only viable option for hosting prestigious badminton events in Malaysia due to its unique capabilities and infrastructure.
“When evaluating a good stadium, it’s not just about the spectators; it’s also about commercial needs,” he said.
“For example, a venue must accommodate an OB (outside broadcast) truck for production, space for commercial activations, and essential facilities like a media centre and an operations room, all of which are crucial for the event’s success.
“In that regard, Axiata Arena is the only venue that offers the necessary facilities and capacity. Additionally, the Malaysia Open has always been held in Kuala Lumpur, the heart of the country, and Axiata Arena is part of the tournament’s identity.”
Christopher also pointed out that, while alternative venues may seem like a quick fix, the real solution lies in conducting an independent investigation into the arena’s condition.
Built for the 1998 Commonwealth Games, the stadium inevitably faces wear and tear, including roof leaks.
He suggested that a comprehensive renovation is needed to address these issues and ensure the venue can function for the next 15 years.
“Stadium Corp and BAM must collaborate closely to resolve this. They should urgently consult with contractors to determine the timeline for repairs and establish a clear plan of action.
“The key question is whether we are fixing this for the short term or the long term. Thankfully this time it was just a small leak. Imagine if the roof had collapsed during an event with music and vibrations.
“We need thorough evaluation and assessment of how long the stadium may need to be closed for repairs,” said Christopher.
Former international player and ex-BAM high-performance director Datuk James Selvaraj also weighed in, stating that constructing a new stadium would place an unnecessary burden on the government.
Instead, he believes Stadium Corp should be given adequate time to address the leaks at the Axiata Arena.
“We should give Stadium Corp the time it needs to fix the issues.
“Building a new stadium is not the solution; it would cost millions and place a heavy burden on the government, especially when we already have a world-class venue in Axiata Arena,” he said.
However, James stressed that Stadium Corp should not take the situation lightly and must ensure that they have the resources and manpower to make the necessary repairs and keep promises to organisers.
“I hope they can resolve the issues and take more preventive measures moving forward. Such problems hurt our nation’s reputation. International players may feel stressed or be hesitant to participate if the venue is not properly maintained,” James added.
Former badminton legend Ong Ewe Hock suggested that, while the stadium undergoes renovations, organisers could consider temporary venues like Melawati Stadium or Setia City Convention Centre.
“There’s no point in considering new venues when Axiata Arena itself isn’t being properly managed,” he said.
“If the government proceeds with building new badminton stadiums, we risk creating white elephants since we lack the expertise to manage them properly.”
Ewe Hock emphasised that Axiata Arena remains the best venue for badminton in Malaysia, with its capacity to hold 10,000 spectators.
He urged the authorities to prioritise proper maintenance of the arena and to avoid entertaining alternative options.
“We need to make sure this issue doesn’t happen again during the Malaysia Masters. The authorities must address the problem, hold contractors accountable, and set a clear timeline for repairs,” Ewe Hock said.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has confirmed that this year’s Malaysia Masters will take place from May 20 to 25 at the Axiata Arena. — January 11, 2025