PJ Stadium to host Sukma football final, closing ceremony while SIC set for opening

The Star

4 days ago

Good vibes: Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (right) sharing a light moment while speaking to the press after chairing the Sukma XXII management committee meeting at Concorde Hotel in Shah Alam yesterday. Also present was Selangor state executive Councillor for youth, sports and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
SHAH ALAM: The Petaling Jaya Stadium has been selected as the venue for the football final of the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Selangor from Aug 15-24 next year.
The announcement was made by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari after chairing the organising committee meeting in Shah Alam on Tuesday (July 22).
Apart from hosting the football final, the Petaling Jaya Stadium will also serve as the venue for the Sukma closing ceremony, while the opening ceremony will, for the first time, be held at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).
The decision to use the Petaling Jaya Stadium was made as the state's iconic Shah Alam Stadium is currently undergoing reconstruction and is only expected to be completed in 2030.
As a result, track and field events will take place at Universiti Putra Malaysia Stadium in Serdang.
To ensure the smooth running of the group stage football matches, several other stadiums will also be used, including the Selayang Stadium and Salak Tinggi Stadium, along with facilities at selected local universities through strategic partnerships.
"The stadium is the home ground of the Selangor Red Giants. We will hold discussions with the club's management, but I don't foresee it being an issue," said Amirudin.
"That's also why we decided not to hold the track and field events there – to avoid affecting the condition of the pitch and the surrounding area. Instead, track and field will be held at UPM.
"The men's football final will take place at the Petaling Jaya Stadium, while the women's final will be held at the Selayang Stadium.
It was also confirmed that 28 core sports and five optional sports will be contested, with all nine districts in Selangor playing a role in hosting the events.
Track cycling will be the only exception, as it will be held at the National Velodrome in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.
Amirudin said the decision to involve districts outside the Klang Valley is part of efforts to streamline logistics for participating contingents and to ease traffic congestion during peak hours.
The Selangor state government is also prepared to deploy its Smart Selangor buses as shuttle transport for athletes and officials to facilitate their movement throughout the Games.
"We will work closely with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), local authorities and the Selangor Mobility Committee to coordinate transportation for Sukma.
"The plan is to reassign a portion of the Smart Selangor buses specifically for the Games, instead of their usual daily routes. These will function as shuttle services for athletes and officials to help minimise traffic congestion.
"If escort vehicles are needed, I believe the local authorities and police can assist to ensure traffic remains manageable, especially since congestion could be one of the challenges during the event," he added.