Selangor add another stadium as possible home venue

---

BY        ZULHILMI ZAINAL       Follow on Twitter

---

While the Red Giants have secured the use of the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium as its home venue in the coming season, the club are also looking into the possibility of using other stadiums as its home ground instead.

According to team manager Datuk Abdul Rauf Ahmad who spoke to the press on Friday at Selayang, the club are looking into sharing the newly-refurbished KLFA Stadium, Cheras; with newly-promoted rivals Kuala Lumpur, as well as the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium, Paroi, Negeri Sembilan's venue. Both grounds are located outside of the state of Selangor.

"We prefer to share Kuala Lumpur's stadium as homeground as we will then get to play at night.

"We've received the permission of FMLLP (M-League organiser Football Malaysia LLP), and are waiting for the response by DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Council)," said Rauf.

When asked about his thoughts on the possibility of playing in Paroi, in the neighbouring state of Negeri Sembilan, the former player said that the club have also made the application to play there, but admitted that the Red Giants' reputation may be dented if that were to happen.

"The club represent the state of Selangor, are a major name in Malaysian football, but we may end up having to look for assistance from another state by making Paroi our homeground.

"We appreciate the assistance (Paroi), but we prefer to hold our home matches in the Klang Valley, where it's nearer to our supporters," noted Rauf.

But he ruled out the possibility of sharing the Petaling Jaya City Council Stadium (MBPJ Stadium), Petaling Jaya, with third-tier side PJ Rangers when it was suggested. Rauf hinted that the state has only allowed them to use the venue in Selayang.

"The MBPJ Stadium is a suitable ground as they are the home ground of PJ Rangers in the FAM Cup, and our fixtures would not clash.

"But we have been informed that not all municipal councils [which own the grounds] have been allowed to issue us permission to use their stadiums, except for Selayang.

"We can't waste our time. If we can only use Selayang, we have to look for alternatives. There is now Paroi and Cheras," he remarked.