Japanese firm donates sports centre as 50th Merdeka gift to government

THE Panasonic Sports Centre (PSC) in Shah Alam, considered as one of the well maintained and managed sports complex in the country, will be donated to the Sports Ministry.

The Matsushita Group of Companies in Malaysia are the partners of the sports centre, built at a cost of RM34mil in 1991. It was established with the objective of providing sports and recreational facilities for employees.

Modern: The 400m synthetic running track at the Panasonic Sports Centre.

However last year, the Matsushita Group, based in Japan, as a goodwill gesture, in conjunction with the 50th Merdeka celebrations, decided to hand over the sports centre to the Malaysian government.

A group of high-ranking officials from the Matsushita Group in Japan met the then Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said to seek her opinion.

A PSC officer said the minister was receptive to the proposal and instructed officials from the ministry and National Sports Council (NSC) to pursue the matter.

“We have had a series of discussions and officials from the sports ministry and NSC had visited the PSC. Officials from the Merdeka Stadium board, who manage the sports venues at the National Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil, had also visited the PSC,'' said the official.

The officials, from the Merdeka Stadium board, were impressed with the management of the PSC and had expressed their wish to make the PSC a profitable venture. However, the officials from NSC were keen to make the PSC a centre of excellence for sepak takraw and gymnastics. The NSC had voiced out their vision to built a dormitory.

The PSC, houses two football fields, 400m synthetic running track, three tennis courts, three sepak takraw courts, an Olympic size swimming pool, a children's pool and has a seating gallery for 1,100 people. Floodlights have also been installed for night football matches.

Kanniappan: Is currently the manager of the PSC

The indoor arena can be used for badminton, volleyball, basketball, futsal and table tennis. The indoor arena also has 998 fixed-seats and 2,016 sliding seats. The indoor arena has also been booked for weddings and entertainment shows.

The PSC is well patronised by schools in the Klang Valley. They find the PSC well maintained and also affordable compared to other stadiums in the Klang Valley. Dolphin Sports conduct swimming lessons at the PSC.

The Bon Odori festival is one of most popular events held at the PSC and attracts about 30,000 participants every year. Panasonic Group of Companies in Malaysia also organise their annual sports carnival, involving about 10,000 employees, at the PSC.

Klang Valley teams involved in the M-League had listed the PSC as the home venue.

Former Navy officer T. Kanniappan is currently the manager of the PSC. He has a staff of 12. It is learnt that the 13 staff will be offered VSS. The Merdeka Stadium board are keen to re-employ the staff.

However, the Matsushita Group of Companies have set certain conditions to the Sports Ministry.

“There should not be any structural change made and also employees of Panasonic Group of Companies must be given the privilege to use the facilities,'' said the official.

The delegation from the Panasonic Group of Companies, who had discussions with the Sports Ministry and NSC, has been dissolved.

The Sports Minister is expected to make an official announcement on the takeover soon.