Main contractor responsible for MDA’s deplorable condition

Bina, the main contractor for the Mokhtar Dahari Academy (MDA), should take full responsibility for the poor state of the facility in Gambang, Pahang.

MDA was built under the National Football Development Programme (NFDP) at a cost of RM85 million and was supposed to help produce world-class football players.

The facility was completed in March and it received its first group of students a month later, comprising 185 students from Form One to Four.

NFDP chief executive Safirul Azli Abu Bakar said through the defect rectification deal, any damages incurred in the span of two years from April this year are to be covered by the main contractor.

“The tender processes for the gymnasium and other facilities are ongoing. There are some issues due to shortage of funds from the Sports Ministry, National Sports Council and the National Sports Institute. This was the main reason we could not process the tenders immediately,” said Safirul in a statement yesterday.

“As for the pitches, they are in good condition except for the artificial turf which has been affected by heavy rain. We did not compromise on field maintenance.

“The issues with the dorms, food and others are quite difficult to resolve as they need to be addressed by the upper management.

“We are not too concerned about these damages as the defect period applies on them. However, the contractor needs to be fast in addressing the shortcomings.

On Friday, Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman visited MDA and was surprised with its deplorable state.