The construction began in 2016 and was fully completed this year at a cost of RM200m

by BERNAMA    

THE Johor Darul Ta’zim Football Club (JDT) officially moves to its new “home” at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Iskandar Puteri, with the opening of the stadium on Saturday night.

The launching of the stadium, which began construction in 2016 and was fully completed this year at a cost of RM200 million, was performed by the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

Also present were Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal, State Secretary Datuk Azmi Rohani, Football Association of Malaysia president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin and Johor Football Association president Datuk Ismail Karim.

Tunku Ismail, through a statement which was distributed to the media, said the opening of the stadium was another new chapter in the history of the club.

“The last seven years have been great both on and off the field for JDT…and the opening of the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium marks another milestone for the Southern Tigers squad.

“JDT has grown exponentially since the club’s founding in 2013 and today we have succeeded in overcoming the norms of Malaysian football…(whereby are) constantly striving to create new benchmarks that will surely raise standards and challenge the limits at the international level,” said Tunku Ismail.

Meanwhile, the opening ceremony was also enlivened by international singer Leona Lewis and two Johor-born artists Ayai and Akim, followed by a fireworks display.

Located on an 11.3ha site, which also houses the JDT headquarters, the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium is the only national football stadium to use the original “Zeon Zoysia” grass which has been tested and also has a drainage system that can keep water from stagnating on the field.

Capable of accommodating over 35,000 spectators, the stadium also comes with modern LED spotlights, multicolour and multi-rhythm building lights.

The best destination for the sport of football would be an iconic landmark and a must-visit for visitors and families by having various booths, souvenir shops and restaurants which would open soon. — Bernama