Bangi, 24 April 2015 – Cricket development in Malaysia received a tremendous boost from Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) with an RM1.4 million sponsorship for the construction of a world class cricket facility at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

The new world class cricket complex to be named UKM-YSD Cricket Oval will join the ranks of the other two world-class facilities in Malaysia, namely the Bayuemas Complex in Klang, Selangor and the Kinrara Cricket Oval in Kuala Lumpur to host international meets.

The UKM-YSD Cricket Oval will boast of a wicket block using natural grass, recognised by the International Cricket Council (ICC), a cricket pavilion that can accommodate 300 people, two changing rooms for the teams, a VIP room, a dining hall and two prayer rooms.

Present at the agreement signing ceremony today between YSD, UKM and the Malay Cricket Association Malaysia (MCAM) were President and Group Chief Executive of Sime Darby Berhad Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Mohd Bakke Salleh, UKM Pro-Chancellor Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid, YSD Governing Council member Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Wan Mohd Zahid Mohd Noordin and UKM Vice Pro-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali and Deputy President of MCAM YBhg Tan Sri Wan Abdul Rahman Yaacob.

In his speech, Tan Sri Mohd Bakke said the facility would provide a significant boost to the development of cricket in Malaysia.

”This new world class cricket facility will certainly put our name on the world map as an aspiring cricket test country. Although we are still taking baby steps to excel in this sport, with this new Oval, we have the potential to host more cricket championships.

“These championships will in turn provide opportunities for our home grown cricketeers to be recognised internationally and pit their skills against their peers from all over the world,” Tan Sri Mohd Bakke said.

He expressed hope that the local cricket scene would grow into a game with mass following by Malaysians just like football, badminton and hockey.

Meanwhile, Prof Datuk Dr Noor Azlan added: “The support from YSD signifies the benefits of collaborative efforts between the public universities and the private sector. I am confident that once completed, the Oval Complex will serve as a spring board to produce world class future cricketeers, who will bring glory to the nation.”

The complex is expected to be completed within seven months and ready for use by early 2016. The facility would be available for rent to the public and other sporting bodies for a nominal fee of RM500 per tournament and the earnings will be utilised for the complex to be self-sustaining in future.

YSD also has a long-term relationship with MCAM and since 2010, has contributed more than RM5 million for the National Cricket Development Programme (NCDP), which is managed by MCAM.

This programme is entering its sixth year and has successfully produced 1,750 cricket players across all ages and races through its 26 Cricket Centres of Excellence located in schools nationwide. MCAM is also known for producing stellar national talent pools for its Under-12, Under-14, Under-15, Under-16 and Under-18 teams. YSD is also a long-time supporter of the Kuala Lumpur Cricket Association (KLCA) through the annual sponsorship of the International Junior Cricket Festival since 2009.

Youth & Sports, one of the pillars under Yayasan Sime Darby’s philanthropic initiatives supports programme that promote the all-round development of youths to enable them to become trustworthy, conscientious and productive members of society. To this end, YSD makes available the resources at its disposal to promote sporting activities to help youths realise their full potentials; develop sports; cultivate sportsmanship within the community and raise the standards of sports.