KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Football League (MFL) has assured that the implementation of the video assistant referee (VAR) system in club stadiums will proceed as scheduled, despite several clubs currently undergoing the transition from traditional cow grass (Axonopus Compressus) to Zeon Zoysia pitches.
The introduction and implementation of the VAR system this season is estimated to have cost MFL a whopping RM9.7 million.
Speaking to Scoop, MFL president Datuk Stuart Ramalingam said the football governing body is currently working on field engineering measurements to install VAR at the stadiums.
“Several clubs have applied for the offer given by the Youth and Sports Ministry to change their pitch to Zeon Zoysia, and they have also proposed their second stadiums to be used for league matches while the grass work is underway.
“MFL is currently working on installing VAR at the main stadiums, and we are also inspecting the second stadiums to see if we can install the VAR system.
“For now, I can’t reveal the clubs that have applied for the Zeon Zoysia grass as I’m yet to get approval from the sports ministry to disclose the clubs that have applied. But the number of clubs interested in changing the grass has increased over the past few months,” said Stuart.
Previously, Scoop reported that Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh showed her commitment to supporting local football clubs by facilitating the upgrade of their pitches to utilise Zeon Zoysia to elevate the competitive standards of Malaysian football.
Stuart further said that his committee has also set criteria for Malaysia Super League clubs to change their stadium seats to be single-seated to ensure that fans can have a good match experience when they watch the games there.
“This is going to be a phased process as we want the fans to enjoy the games to the maximum when they are at the stadiums.
“Some clubs have requested additional time to complete the refurbishment, and we have granted them the extension they need.
“We also need to understand that not all stadiums are owned by the clubs. Most are owned by state governments, and the clubs need to have discussions with the state government to make it happen.
“Kelantan FC has already done it, and I’m happy to see some of the clubs also doing it,” Stuart added.
Zeon Zoysia grass has been lauded for its resistance to diverse weather conditions and is deemed suitable for football fields.
Several Southeast Asian countries, such as Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia, have embraced this grass type in their respective stadiums.
Notably, Malaysia uses Zeon Zoysia at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, which is fully sponsored by the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
Additionally, Tunku Ismail’s own Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri utilises Zeon Zoysia grass. – March 1, 2024