KUALA LUMPUR – Whether it is a refurbishment or new construction, the new Shah Alam Stadium project is something everyone in Selangor should support.
Selangor FC CEO Johan Kamal Hamidon said there are reasons to be excited about the project.
“I and the club are excited about this project, and I think everyone in Selangor should also be excited about this.
“It is a new dawn, a new home ground for us, and also means a lot to us for many years to come,” he told The Vibes.
Johan was met after a ceremony where Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari on behalf of the state government handed over a letter of intent (LOI) to construction firm Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad (MRCB).
MRCB will now proceed to offer the best options to the state.
Johan said it is important to place the right foundation blocks early on, along with up-to-date features so that the new stadium can be relevant in the long run.
With the redevelopment work set to begin early next year and estimated to be complete in 2026, Johan said the wait will be worth it.
“For something significant and impactful such as this, I think it’s worth the wait. This is not something that happens frequently in our lives.”
“But we don’t want to come up with a stadium that is half-baked. It is worth waiting for because of the effort and commitment to detail of this project,” he added.
Currently, Selangor FC have temporarily been relocated to the Petaling Jaya City Council stadium to play their home games.
For the team, Johan said the players are also looking forward to having a ground that they can be proud of.
“The current stadium has a lot of issues that cannot be resolved quickly. So, to have something more permanent, the players can be proud of it.
“The players know they are here all the time, a new facility can be a great boost to morale. Even outside clubs will be impressed by it,” he said.
The ceremony involved the handing over of a letter of intent (LOI) to MRCB. Together with the state government, the developer will now conduct detailed discussions on plans for the stadium and its surrounding areas.
During the press conference after the ceremony, Selangor MB Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the new Shah Alam Stadium can be compared to Anfield in Liverpool. – The Vibes, July 16, 2022.
