30 NEGLECTED FUTSAL COURTS DEMOLISHED NATIONWIDE SINCE 2021

MELAKA, April 26 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) has demolished 30 futsal courts, which were not properly maintained, nationwide since 2021, with most of them being 1Malaysia futsal courts.

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim said 20 courts in Peninsular Malaysia were demolished, costing RM11 million, while 10 were torn down in Sabah and Sarawak, involving losses amounting to RM1.4 million.

“This is because too many futsal courts were built at that time but were not registered as KBS assets because they were built on state or state reserve land as well as on private, individual, school and Felda land.

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“So, the problem occurs when the courts are neglected because they were built without any mechanisms for maintenance or monitoring by KBS, local authorities or sports associations,” he told reporters after launching the Ayer Keroh Pulse Play Sports Complex here today, which was also attended by Pulse Play managing director Azahari Muhammad Rejab.

Adam Adli added that the ministry is in the process of checking and re-listing neglected courts or facilities more systematically.

“So far, of the 1,943 futsal courts recorded by KBS, 1,425 have been handed over without any repairs to land owners and 384 futsal courts have been handed over with repair costs while 30 have been demolished,” he said.

Besides reiterating the need for a culture of proper maintenance, Adam Adli also said that systematic maintenance plans need to be put in place to ensure sports centres or courts can last longer for public use.

“Like the opening of this modern Pulse Play Sports Complex… surely it is the shared responsibility of the community, local authorities and ministry to ensure it is properly maintained,” he said.

Commenting on the opening of the Pulse Play Sports Complex, Adam Adli believes it would boost the economy of the sports tourism industry in Melaka.

He added that the sports complex, equipped with various facilities, including a seven-a-side football pitch as well as courts for pickleball and padel, which are sports that are fast gaining popularity among Malaysians.

-- BERNAMA