Malaysian authorities will demolish the Shah Alam Stadium and construct a modern replacement. The stadium opened in July of 1994. With a capacity of more than 80,000, the stadium can hold larger crowds than most of the Premier League stadiums. The ground also hosted Arsenal and Chelsea for the 2011 Asia Tour and served as the home turf of Selangor FC.
The process started with two hydraulic break-up machines authorized to do the job. The government of Selangor has ordered the demolition. The stadium has been classified as unsafe for spectators since 2020. Workers have started dismantling the structure and will complete the process by mid-2025.
In 2020, the Malaysian Football League threatened to ban the stadium from hosting matches due to safety concerns. The league said the stadium wasn’t safe for fans after many repair tries didn’t work, so now they’re planning a new one.
Shah Alam Stadium: The History
The complex is situated in the Eastern part of the capital of Selangor, Shah Alam. The idea for its design is the Stadion Poljud in Croatia. Construction began in 1990 and took four years to complete. The first match hosted by the stadium was when Dundee United faced Selangor XI in a 1-1 draw. It was also the biggest stadium in the country till 1998. Hefty amounts were spent in 2011 and 2014 to modernize the stadium and install various amenities. The pitch was reworked, and the lighting systems were improved. It was also used in the Southeast Asian Games in 2017, but the safety issue could not be solved.
Apart from football, the stadium has contributed to the in many ways. The structure is a landmark on its own. The people recognize the stadium because of its beautiful design and six-level seating. The structure makes it one of the longest free-standing arcs in the world. The stadium is more than just a football pitch, it can be used for other sporting activities too. Apart from sports, the complex also has a go-karting circuit constructed and has hosted many artists liked Bon Jovi and Maroon 5.
Its Current state and Future plans
The Shah Alam Stadium looks like a shadow of its former self. Missing panels on the roof of the stadium and an unmaintained pitch are evidence of that. The stadium hasn’t hosted a football match in many years and the complex looks deserted. Shards and panels from the roof lie on the stadium’s wild pitch, which was once viewed with a sense of pride by the fans and the people of the city. The usable seats from the dugout and the stands will be offered to local authorities and district offices. The compound is deserted but with new plans to construct a modern complex, with a stadium of an expected capacity of 35,000-45,000, it looks like better days are on the way.
The new stadium will be equipped with the latest advancements in the sport. A retractable roof and indoor humidity control will be installed to improve the overall experience of the fans and the players. A special event mode will also be installed in the stadium for concerts. The project is expected to be complete by 2029. The usable seats from the dugout and the stands will be offered to local authorities and district offices.
The Shah Alam Stadium was bigger than many famous European stadiums. Bigger than any club’s ground in terms of capacity. It is sad to see a historically rich site get turned upside down. The negligence in the maintenance of the site is to blame for the issue today. The panels and the design of the arc were a huge part of the identity of the ground. The idea of constructing a modern stadium is the right thing to do but the atmosphere inside an 80,000-spectator capacity stadium can not be replicated in a stadium with half the people.
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