MCA HOPING FOR A MIRACLE

Association determined to save Kinrara Oval

THE five-acre Kinrara Oval in Puchong is set to be reclaimed by Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) on Oct 31 to build condominiums.

However, the Malaysia Cricket Association (MCA) are keeping their fingers crossed for a miracle.

And even though Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Rahman has yet to meet with MCA on the matter, it is said that he is working behind the scenes to save the ground.

MCA honorary secretary Iqbal Ali Kassim Ali confirmed that they were given a notice to vacate the Kinrara Oval by Oct 31.

“We have met with the relevant authorities to try and solve the matter, but nothing is concrete yet. We are waiting to meet the Sports Minister and hopefully he will have a solution on how to save the Kinrara Oval,” said Iqbal.

Former Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin tweeted recently: “Please help @SyedSaddiq. I wrote to PNB as the land owner of the Oval to keep the ground. One of my last few letters at KBS (Ministry of Sports). Also spoke to then Chairman. Hope you can follow up. Public funds used to upgrade for @KL2017. Now to be shut down and taken away.”

Syed Saddiq also tweeted: “We have filed our objections. Met up with the representatives as well. This iconic ground must be defended.

Hopefully the new Chairman will hear our plight.”

The new PNB chairman is former Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz.

On Saturday, a group comprising residents nearby and young cricketers gathered at the Oval to protest against the move. “Dont’ Kill The Game” and “Save Kinrara Oval” read placards belonging to the protestors.

Iqbal said if the ground is taken over for development, it will damage the future plans of MCA to make cricket a popular sport.

“Cricket is ranked second in the world in terms of viewership. Malaysia are World No 27 and play in Division Four of the World Tour.

“If we lose the Oval, it will not help in our hope of improving our national team.

“We are still trying to stop the eviction order, and hopefully the minister can spare some time and meet us (MCA),” said Iqbal.