KUALA LUMPUR – Felda will have a multi-million-ringgit white elephant on its hands following the decision by its football team to quit the M-League.
The RM100 million state-of-the-art Tun Abdul Razak stadium in Bandar Jengka, Pahang – surrounded by Felda settlement – will be a hard sell considering the current pandemic and soft economy. Its remote location does not help its case too.
“They will need to sell the stadium. With Felda United out, the stadium becomes a white elephant. If Felda does not sell, the cost of maintenance will drown the agency, as things like its artificial turf are expensive to maintain,” said club source.
“They could sell the 25,000-seater stadium to other clubs, but it will be difficult because it is in Jengka. The nearest hotel is about 20km to 30km away, and most of the clubs now have their own stadiums anyways.”
The source expressed hope that the Felda United management will look into it as there are allegations of mismanagement, adding that the team has great potential but hampered by bad leadership.
“I hope at least the stadium will be saved because it will be sad to see such a beautiful football stadium left to rot,” said the source.
Built in 2015, the Tun Abdul Razak stadium is second only to the Larkin stadium in terms of facilities and pitch.
It is purpose-built for football matches. Without a running track, the stadium cannot be used to host other sporting events.
It is built on Felda land, which allowed the agency to save on land costs. However, the stadium’s maintenance cost is at RM50,000 a month.
Felda United management has been accused of lacking professionalism, after its coach and players found out about its decision to quit the M-League on social media.
“They only knew of their fate after reading the news online on Monday, and I was told the environment during the training turned sour after the news. I believe that the players and coaches would have preferred to be told of the decision personally,” source said.
Meanwhile, a source close to the Super League outfit told The Vibes that the management called all its players and its backroom staff last week to let them know that Felda United would conclude its current campaign by playing the remaining matches.
However, the management stopped short of commenting on Felda’s participation in the M-League next season.
“There was a meeting last week, but nothing was confirmed, and the future of the players and the backroom staff is shrouded in uncertainty.
“Of course, the management did encourage players with contracts ending this year to look for other clubs.
“But the management said no decision has been made, meaning that there was a possibility of the team continuing the next season. This has left the players and backroom staff in a lurch.”
Felda United coach Mohd Nidzam Jamil told The Vibes: “As a coach, I am only focused on our coming match with Selangor.
“We want to win and finish 10th and be known as a Super League team not one that got relegated. It is our way to repay the good things done by the management.”
All efforts to contact Felda United president, Nik Hasrul Zainudin, for comments have been ignored. – The Vibes, October 9, 2020
