Upgrades promise better matchday experience at Stadium Taha Ariffin

KUCHING: Football fans can now enjoy a better experience at the upgraded Stadium Taha Ariffin, although further improvements are still in the pipeline, said Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

The Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development said the stadium formerly known as Stadium Negeri had undergone significant upgrades, including the installation of seats to replace the previous concrete seating.

He said the improvements had enabled the stadium to meet the prerequisite requirements for hosting high-level football matches.

“Come and support our team and, besides that, enjoy the improvements that have been made.

“The toilets are better, the seating is better and there have been many changes,” he said after officiating the Sarawak National Sports Integrity Conference at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre (HEEC) here today.

Abdul Karim said the upgrading works at the stadium were not yet 100 per cent complete, as the current focus was on facilities that would be used for the 2027 SEA Games.

“After that, we will carry out further improvements to Stadium Taha Ariffin because the stadium is not being used for the SEA Games,” he said.

He also encouraged Sarawakians and Kuching City FC supporters to come to the stadium, watch the matches and experience the improvements made to the venue.

The upgraded stadium is set to see plenty of action, with Kuching City FC expected to host Sabah FC in a friendly on Oct 1, followed by Singapore side Tampines Rovers in the Shopee Cup on Oct 7.

Kuching City FC will then face Kelantan City in the second leg of their Malaysia FA Cup quarter-final before welcoming Hong Kong side Kitchee SC for their AFC Champions League Two (ACL2) fixture on Oct 15.

The Kitchee fixture comes five days after the FA Cup quarter-final second leg, giving the newly upgraded stadium another major occasion on the domestic and continental football calendar.