KUALA LUMPUR: Revenue generated from renting out the National Hockey Stadium for events such as concerts can be used to support hockey teams that cannot afford stadium rental fees, says Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.
"(This) enables us to provide free access for veteran hockey teams and other groups that cannot pay the regular rental rates," she said.
The minister explained that the stadium has two hockey pitches, with one dedicated to national hockey team training.
She added that strict standard operating procedures are in place to protect the turf during non-sporting events.
She added such events are only scheduled if they do not conflict with hockey activities and there is a 60:40 usage ratio for sports versus non-sports events.
"I can assure you that our hockey performance is not being compromised for concerts," she said while winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2025 at the committee level in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Nov 27).
She was responding to Fawwaz Jan (PN-Permatang Pauh), who criticised the government for allowing 26 concerts to be held in 2025 at the Bukit Jalil National Hockey Stadium.
He also asked if such concerts or events would disrupt training schedules and competitions, potentially compromising the performance of local hockey teams.
