KUALA LUMPUR – The 2.42-hectare Brickfields Sports Complex will finally reopen to the public on July 26, nearly a year after major renovations were completed, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif said.
The 55-year-old facility, which underwent upgrading works beginning in 2021, had remained closed despite physical works finishing early last year, prompting frustration from residents and community leaders over the prolonged delay.
Speaking to Scoop, Maimunah said the extensive renovation, led by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), involved upgrading toilets, changing rooms, drainage, and safety infrastructure.
Bookings for the football field, futsal, and basketball courts can be made from Monday, July 21, via DBKL’s Tempah@KL mobile app.
“The main field will appear on the Tempah@KL app this coming Monday, and bookings can be made for use from Saturday onwards,” she said.
“We could have opened it earlier, but there were delays due to the extent of upgrading. Our goal was to ensure everything was perfect before handing it back to the public.”
“We will continue to do more for the people of Brickfields, and we hope the iconic sports complex will thrive again like in its glory days.”
However, residents remain wary after repeated postponements.
Brickfields Rukun Tetangga chairman SKK Naidu said residents were left in the dark for months.
“We were told the place would reopen in January, but we didn’t hear anything until now. It’s been frustrating,” he said, urging DBKL to “stick to the promised date”.
Veteran footballer Rangaratnam Madasamy, who played at the complex for over 25 years, said the prolonged closure took a toll on community life.
“This ground is like our second home. We watched our children play here and met friends here. For years, we’ve felt like a team without a ground. I hope this reopening brings back the spirit and unity we once had.”
Maheswaran Moorthy, 66, who used to jog daily at the venue, said residents were left feeling sidelined.
“We used to jog safely inside the complex, but now we’re dodging cars on the road. It’s a constant worry,” he said. “This was more than just a sports ground – it was where we felt safe and connected. I hope DBKL keeps its word this time.”
The complex was closed in 2017 and left abandoned for several years. In 2020, amid Covid-19 lockdowns and increasing demand for public facilities, then-Mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah promised to redevelop the site.
Announced in 2021, the plans included rebuilding the demolished football field and constructing toilets, changing rooms, and a car park on the site of the former DBKL sports club.
Built in 1970, the club was once a major hub for City Hall staff and the Kuala Lumpur football team in the 1980s, featuring notable players such as Rashid Hassan, Razip Ismail, Chow Siew Yai, and Fandi Ahmad. – July 19, 2025