Football

JDT have not lost on cow grass in six years, says Tunku Mahkota Ismail

KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) owner Tunku Mahkota Ismail has rubbished claims that his team would become weak if they are forced to play on pitches using cow grass.

Tunku Mahkota Ismail, in a post on X, stressed that the Southern Tigers have never had any issues performing on cow grass pitches.

"I have heard a theory about how cow grass (pitches) puts JDT at a disadvantage. Gentlemen, JDT has not lost an away match in the league since March 2018," said Tunku Mahkota Ismail.

"We have not lost on cow grass in six years. So please think professionally and raise the infrastructure of football in our country."

On a separate note, Tunku Mahkota Ismail hopes teams in the M-League will follow in the footsteps of Terengganu FC (TFC), who now utilise bermuda grass for their pitch, if they are not keen on converting their pitches to zeon zoysia grass.

"If you don't want to change to zeon, then change to bermuda like Terengganu FC. Both these grass types are sand-based. When it rains, it does not become muddy," he said.

"The problem with cow grass is that it is soil-based. When it rains, it causes puddles or becomes muddy."

The Youth and Sports Ministry previously announced that grants amounting to RM4.6 million have already been channelled to 10 states to allow them to upgrade the pitches and drainage systems in their stadiums.

Eight states - Negri Sembilan, Kelantan, Pahang, Terengganu, Selangor, Perak, Kuala Lumpur and Melaka have received RM500,000 to upgrade their drainage systems and change the grass in their stadiums.

Perlis and Kedah have received RM300,000 to upgrade their drainage systems while Sabah and Penang have opted not to change their grass.

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