KOTA BHARU: The state government of Kelantan plans to utilize the full RM276 million allocated by the Federal Government to build six sports facilities in preparation for hosting the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in 2028, according to Kelantan Youth, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Committee chairman Zamakhshari Muhamad. The facilities include the Bukit Merbau Sports Complex and the Madinah Al-Salam Aquatic Centre in Tunjong.
Zamakhshari stated that the state government has allocated RM164.35 million for land acquisition, preliminary land works, and infrastructure provision for the Bukit Merbau Sports Complex and the Aquatic Centre.
The Bukit Merbau Sports Complex development project is a major component of the state government’s application through the Youth and Sports Ministry under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), he added.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi expressed hope that the Kelantan government would make full use of the RM276 million allocation for the construction of sports facilities in preparation for Sukma.
In addition, the development of the 64.15-hectare Madinah Al-Riyadhah will include 10 main venues such as the main stadium, shooting range, indoor arena, hockey stadium, and synthetic football pitch, according to Zamakhshari.
A 7.2-hectare site has also been prepared for a sports school to optimize the use of the sports facilities and produce more international-class athletes, he further explained.
The state government is currently spending RM18.15 million to reclaim land for the overall development site, as planned by the Town and Country Planning Department, said Zamakhshari. Additionally, RM62 million is allocated for earthworks and related development of access roads for the six sports venues, while RM53 million is allocated for the infrastructure of Madinah Al-Raidhah Bukit Merbau, which is in its final stages of coordination by the Public Works Department (PWD).
Other planned facilities include a RM25 million Aquatics Centre in Tunjong, a cycling track in Bukit Bakar, Machang costing RM1.7 million, and a RM11 million badminton hall in Madinah Al-Salam, Tunjong, among others.
The overall development is expected to be fully completed by mid-2026 in readiness for Kelantan’s hosting of Sukma in mid-2028. – Bernama
