KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysia Rugby Union (MRU) continues to wait for the promised rugby sports complex as the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) has yet to decide on an alternative venue after the cancellation of the RM17 million project in Precinct 13, Putrajaya, citing budget constraints.
Minister Hannah Yeoh said that her ministry has received a report on alternative venues but has yet to review it.
“There was a report given to me, but I have not read it yet. I will only be able to decide on this matter after I have read the report,” said Hannah when met at the 2024 KBS Mandate Council in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
The minister stressed that the ministry’s focus is on sustainability, stating that fulfilling every national sports association’s (NSA) wish list is impractical.
“All national sports associations have their wish list, and we are unable to fulfil everyone’s wish list.
“Many sports associations come to me and express their desire for an academy and all, but I want to prioritise sustainability.
“It’s not about starting something new, but the ability to maintain and sustain is the main consideration for us now,” she added.
In 2015, former sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin initially came up with the plan to construct the first national rugby complex in Putrajaya, but the project did not materialise due to unknown reasons.
Construction plans were once again brought to life by KBS after the national rugby squad excelled in Division 1 of the 2016 Asian Rugby Championship and won the gold medal at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games a year later.
In 2019, Precinct 13 in Putrajaya was chosen as the location for the construction of the 5,000-seat capacity national rugby complex, estimated to cost RM17 million.
It was also supposed to be part of the Sultan Ahmad Shah Soccer City development, scheduled for completion by the third quarter of 2022.
Construction work began in September 2020, but the seating capacity was reduced to 1,250 due to delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Previously, MRU secretary-general Fahmy Jalil told Scoop that his association has decided to set aside their frustration over the cancellation of the rugby sports complex and shifted focus to developing the sport.
Under its new leadership, the association also plans to organise several tournaments for the remainder of the year to develop talents.
Despite setbacks, the national rugby sevens men’s team aims to build on previous successes, having won gold in the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games and silver in the 2019 edition in Manila.
Rugby sevens was not featured in the 2023 edition in Phnom Penh. – January 12, 2024.