Thoughts on future of Shah Alam stadium

I LEARNT from the media that the dilapidated Shah Alam Stadium and the sports complex surrounding it (pic), which are located not far from where I live, will be redeveloped.

This was announced by Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari at an event recently.

To be honest, that stadium holds many memories for me. I have been to countless football matches and concerts there since I was a child in the 1990s. I dare say I know every nook and cranny of the building. On top of that, the structure is a landmark not only for Shah Alam but also for Selangor.I am extremely sad to learn about the utter state of disrepair the 28-year-old stadium is in right now. Once the pride of Selangorians, especially those residing in Shah Alam, it is now a pale shadow of its former image.

In fact, the structure is now unsafe due to poor upkeep. Many of the roof tiles have fallen, and many more are hanging precariously. Several floods, including in 2021, had damaged the field, locker rooms and the stadium’s wiring system.

I am dreaming of a magic wand to restore the stadium to the condition it was in when I used to visit it in my younger days, but I know this is not a fairy tale and the cost of refurbishing it will be humongous.

The Selangor government has appointed a developer to look into whether to repair and renovate the stadium, or tear it down and build a new one in its place. Selangor taxpayers now need to ask what’s the best option for them.

Is it worth it to repair and refurbish the stadium merely for sentimental reasons? Or should the state opt for building a new stadium, one that comes complete with state-of-the-art technology that was unavailable some 30 years ago?

Whichever option the state government chooses, the development would be fully funded by the developer by way of a smart public-private partnership.

To be honest, much as I want my children and grandchildren to visit the stadium that retains the same structure and feel as the one I had visited as a child, the reality is that times have changed.

In the past, we did not learn about computers in school and we spent our afternoons on the football field. These days, children learn coding in class and many have to go for extra tuition after school. Making them go through the same experience that we had would be unfair and counterproductive.

Besides, if the old stadium is torn down and replaced with a new one, the developer can incorporate features and new technologies like smart security and energy-saving systems that reflect current needs.

Back in the 1990s, the population of Shah Alam was much smaller and the LRT (light rail transit) was not even available in Malaysia. Today, Shah Alam is a bustling metropolitan area and there will be a LRT station near the stadium. The rail service is expected to be operational by 2024.

So, let’s be realistic about plans for the Shah Alam Stadium and its surrounding areas. We should consider building a new facility that suits the current situation.

HIZRIL ABDUL RAHMAN

Shah Alam