Darul Makmur Stadium Grass Pitch Receives FIFA Nod

KUANTAN, May 30 (Bernama) -- The Darul Makmur Stadium here scored a landmark precedent when its natural grass pitch became the first in Malaysia to receive certification from world governing body FIFA through its Quality Programme for Natural Playing Surfaces.

Pahang Communications and Multimedia, Youth, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisations Committee chairman Fadzli Mohamad Kamal said the certificate was issued after the pitch passed a comprehensive assessment by a FIFA-appointed consultancy company, Acousto-Scan Pty Ltd, on April 23 and 24.

"The pitch received an excellent rating with a score of 93 per cent after the assessment was conducted covering three main components, namely climate testing, sports performance testing and agronomic testing," he said at a press conference here today.

Fadzli also said the assessment included aspects such as soil temperature, humidity, ball bounce, surface hardness, root system, weed content and soil health.

"This recognition marks a major success in the technical and maintenance aspects of the national sports field.

"I was informed that the 'Bermuda Tifgrand' grass on this field is the first to be planted outside Japan, besides this field having three layers and a water drainage system underneath to speed up the water absorption rate," he said.

The field was built and upgraded according to strict FIFA specifications by local contractor, RS Greenmaster (M) Sdn Bhd, which played an important role in this success.

The field upgrade project involved a cost of RM1.6 million, of which RM500,000 was contributed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports while RM1.1 million was borne by the state government.

He said the contractor had already given them the green light to use the field but it would only be used in one or two months.

In terms of field maintenance, Fadzli said there was an increase in cost of RM250,000 to RM300,000 per year compared to RM50,000 for Cow Grass turf.

"Together with the Darul Makmur Stadium Corporation, we have formulated a strategy and streamlined operations to increase income to cover the maintenance of this field.

"Among these are optimising the use of the stadium's three main halls, building a covered business centre in the stadium area and opening a cafe," he said.

-- BERNAMA