The Malaysian Netball Association (MNA) are on the right track as they prepare to host the sport at the Juara Stadium in Kuala Lumpur from 14-20 August in the KL2017 Games.
Mazidah Musa, who has been at the Juara Stadium since 1998, said the venue was previously built for netball during the 16th Commonwealth Games.
The seasoned technical delegate for the 29th SEA Games, who was involved in the Asian Netball Championships in Bangkok last year, was pleased to have netball at this very venue once again.
Testing the venue, the MNA hosted their the Pre SEA Games event – Malaysia Netball Invitational Championship – comprising Malaysia, Thailand and Chinese Taipei at the Juara Stadium from 22-25 July.
“We are grateful to have the venue as the flooring, room temprature, and lighting are perfect for the sport.
“We have to thank the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) for granting our wish as it will be easier for us to organise the tournament in terms of familiarity.
“There is still some touching up to do with the floor and upgrade our lightingsfor the broadcasts as they requested it to be brighter. Early this year in February, we had some renovations for the rooms and painted the building.
“We are looking into every aspects to make sure everything is functioning well. Currently everything is in place with one court in the center. I believe we will have the tournament proper before the actual day,” said Mazidah.
According to Mazidah, who had just returned from the Netball World Youth Cup in Botswana from 8-16 July, the veteran had also referenced the layout of the world event and applied it to the KL2017 Games.
With the tickets – semi-finals and final – sold out in a flash, the MNA are in progress of sorting out the seating capacity within – which is expected to fill less than a thousand spectators.
Mazidah added that the International Netball Federation (INF) have also named three international technical officials from Australia and Singapore.
A total of eight umpires from Australia, Singapore and Sri Lanka will be included as well. – BY ALVIN OH
