KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Games men's and women's hockey competition will be played at two venues, Petra Jaya Hockey Stadium in Kuching and Padungan Hockey Stadium from Aug 16-24.
But the stadium in Padungan is racing against time to be ready after the contractor, that was given the job to lay new turf, has stopped work half way. The workers stopped work because they did not receive their wages,
It's learnt that a new contractor was only hired a few days ago to take over.
A official, with knowledge of the matter, said the new turf from Italy only arrived today, and the workers need to work around the clock to lay the new turf.
"It will take the workers four days to lay the new turf. Hopefully it can be done by Aug 10.
"According to International Hockey Federation rules, a new turf needs to be used for 100 hours before it can be used for a tournament.
"I'm not sure whether the turf can be used for 100 hours before the competition begins on Aug 16," said the official.
It is not the first time Sarawak is organising the Malaysia Games as the state hosted it in 2016.
The cramped women's hockey fixtures are also a concern to team officials. Ten states, divided into two groups, will have to play back-to-back matches over seven days.
Penang coach Leo Vincey said his team will have to play four group matches in four days (Aug 17-20) without a rest day.