Malaysia’s magnificent National Sports Complex, constructed using state of the art technologies was created to serve as the hub of the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. The immense world class complex which cost RM 800 million to build encompasses a ground area of 120 hectares and heralded a new era for sports in Malaysia. In addition to the main stadium, the complex also features the National Aquatic Centre, Putra Indoor Stadium, National Squash Centre and National Hockey Stadium.
Without a doubt the complex’s proudest feature is the main stadium, which has been named the National Stadium. The huge sporting arena provides seating for 100,000 and has special facilities for the disabled. Three tiers of spectator seating are available and secondary and functional areas are positioned two levels beneath the primary concourse. The bowl like shape of the stadium is enhanced by the three spectator tiers which overlap each other. As might be expected in such a grand facility, the primary 400m track features nine lanes and adheres to IAAF specifications. Additionally the stadium also has a synthetic track and a warm-up track which is connected to the primary stadium through a tunnel.
Meanwhile the National Aquatic Centre features an Olympic-grade swimming pool; the swimming, synchronized swimming and diving competition pools are of a premier standard and comply with international regulations.
The Putra Indoor Stadium, which hosted the gymnastics events at the ’98 Commonwealth Games in addition to its sporting facilities, can also be configured as a venue for expositions, concerts, conferences and gatherings. The site is equipped with a video matrix full colour scoreboard.
The National Hockey Stadium actually comprises of two stadiums located adjacent to each other. The primary stadium accommodates 12,000 spectators in covered seats, and offers a media centre, conference room, physio room, first aid room and a medical centre.
The National Squash Centre is recognized as one of the world’s largest and best squash facilities. The ten singles courts can be electronically reconfigured into eight doubles courts, and it is also possible to create a multi-purpose large court.
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