KUALA LUMPUR – Repair works at Perak Stadium in Ipoh are according to schedule, said Malaysian Football League (MFL) chief executive officer Stuart Ramalingam, following an electrical theft case that occurred on February 14.
A room that houses the cables and floodlight components at the stadium was reported to be broken into, causing an estimated loss of RM135,000 by the Ipoh City Council as mentioned in their statement recently.
However, Stuart said they can only confirm tomorrow if the stadium could be utilised for the Malaysia League match between Perak FC and Kedah Darul Aman FC on February 26.
“I have been in contact with Bobie (Perak FC CEO Farid Shamsudin) about the theft issue of cable and floodlight components at the stadium, which involved one lamp post.
“This is the biggest frustration that we have to deal with at the moment, but we try to look forward at how we could probably proceed with the match as scheduled,” said Stuart.
The Malaysian League will open its curtain with the Charity Shield Cup match on Saturday between Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) FC against Terengganu FC, while the league matches begin on February 26.
In another stadium-related development, Terengganu FC has not received clearance to use the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Kuala Nerus as the host venue.
“After talking with the Terengganu CEO, he said he would send the necessary letter in two or three days. Sometimes it takes time because it involves a third party.
“But there is still time for Terengganu to settle the matter as they will be playing away from home in the first two matches,” Stuart explained.
He was met after the signing ceremony of a sponsorship agreement between MFL and Al Rajhi Banking and Investment Corporation.
The year-long collaboration saw the bank positioning its digital bank, rize, as the official digital bank partner for the 2023 Malaysia League.
In conjunction with the partnership, the bank is offering a 10% discount on ticket prices for football matches handled by MFL for new and existing account members when they pay for their tickets with a rize debit card.
The event was also attended by Al Rajhi Bank Malaysia CEO Arsalaan Ahmed and as well as former national footballer Norshahrul Idlan Talaha who made an appearance as a special guest. – The Vibes, February 21, 2023
