PUTRAJAYA – Stadiums under the care of Malaysia Stadium Corporation (PSM) should generate their own income and be self-sustaining, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said.
Although RM145 million has been allocated for the maintenance of sporting facilities under Budget 2023, he said it is important to have other avenues for financial sustainability.
“The ministry has been finding ways through PSM to generate profit from these venues so that they can be maintained and contribute to the national economy,” he said at a press conference today after the launch of the National Sports Day here.
To do this, Faizal said, the ministry partnered in July with ASM Global, a venue management company and producer of live event experiences.
The company will enhance existing operations and event activities at the Kuala Lumpur Sports City area to increase the usage of its sporting venues.
“By working with ASM Global, we hope that one day our sporting facilities won’t have to rely only on government allocations for maintenance and upgrading work, but can be self-sustaining,” Faizal said.
Agreeing with the minister was PSM chief executive officer Faidz Sanusi, who told The Vibes that the partnership with ASM Global could bring in a variety of events.
“Any international event – international friendlies, tournaments, tennis matches, athletics events, maybe even the NBA – will help put Malaysia back on the global map.
“PSM welcomes the allocation from the Finance Ministry for Budget 2023 to upgrade and maintain the assets for both sports and recreation across the country.
“After two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, we truly appreciate the allocation as we really need to upgrade and enhance our facilities so they are at international standards,” he said.
Meanwhile, Faizal said construction of the sports facility in Bukit Merbau, Kelantan, which was included in this year’s budget, will continue as planned as the project is set to break ground next year.
Kelantan will host the 2026 Malaysia Games (Sukma), and Faizal said he hopes the contractor chosen for the project will get the development done in time for the 22nd edition of the national games.
Previously, Kelantan Youth, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisations committee chairman Wan Roslan Wan Hamat said more than RM20 million had been allocated to build a shariah-compliant aquatic centre in preparations for the 2026 Sukma.
The Youth and Sports Ministry received an allocation of RM374 million for 2023, an increase from last year’s RM289 million after Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz tabled Budget 2023 in Parliament yesterday. – The Vibes, October 8, 2022
