FINALLY a proper hockey stadium to call home. Athletes can now undergo proper training and fulfil their dreams of representing Malaysia in this sport.
Being one of only two hockey stadiums in the state, the Petaling Jaya Hockey Stadium in Jalan Selangor lost all its glory in 2006 when it was declared unfit for use by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC).
But after much debate on whether it should be demolished, the state decided early last year that it should remain and they would even allocate some funding to cover half the cost for repair works.
Costing a total of RM2.9mil, the stadium got a new 6,928 sq m turf, which has not been upgraded since it opened in 1994.
The stadium was also given a fresh coat of paint, 706 new seats while its old drains were upgraded.
“All these upgrades are done in accordance with the MHC and the National Sports Council of Malaysia's guidelines so it is on par with other international hockey stadiums,” said Petaling Jaya mayor Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain during the opening ceremony of the stadium, recently.
He hopes the new upgraded facility, which was completed at the end of last year, will also open doors to both international and local hockey tournaments in future.
“I also believe this upgraded facility will be a place where new talents are born to someday represent Malaysia in hockey ” he said.
After the opening ceremony, a friendly hockey match was played between former MBPJ hockey players and current Malaysian hockey players.
The stadium will be open to the public for rent at a minimal cost which is yet to be determined by MBPJ. Previously, they charged a fee of RM400 per game.
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