Some schools have to resort to renting venues or finding sponsors as they lack a field on their premises. — Filepic
WHEN it comes to annual events like sports day, schools in Kuala Lumpur that do not have a field have to rent the space.
The cost of renting a school field can range from between RM350 and RM800 per day, depending on the field size, type of turf and location.
Extra expenses are sometimes incurred when the school needs to rent a bus to transport students to the rented field.
The cost of renting stadium fields is even more expensive.
SMK (P) Methodist Kuala Lumpur sports teacher Sarasvathy Annandarajah said it was getting increasingly more expensive to rent a field to hold sports activities.
Sarasvathy says it is getting more expensive to rent a field for the school’s sports activities.
“Most schools don’t have a field. Even when we find some that do, the fields are often unsuitable.
“We often have to look futher afield,” she said.
SMK (P) Methodist usually uses Stadium Seri Permaisuri in Bandar Seri Permaisuri in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
“However, it is not suitable as there is no sheltered seating for the students,” said Sarasvathy.
The school also had to incur extra expenses to rent canopies to provide shelter from the sun and rain.“Sometimes we use the field at the Kuala Lumpur football stadium or the Bukit Jalil stadium, but it can cost over RM1,000,” she said, stressing that finding a suitable venue was a challenge each year.
“We did find the field at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia suitable but it is quite far, being in Sungai Besi, and located in an army camp,” she added.
SJK (T) St Joseph in Sentul, too, has to find funds yearly to rent fields for its events.
A member of its parent-teacher association, who did not want to be named, said the school lacked basic facilities.
“That money can be better spent on teaching and learning activities for the pupils,” she said, adding that the school should not have to use its own funds.
Schools are not the only ones seeking funds to rent a place for sports.
It costs RM100 an hour to book an indoor futsal court in Klang Valley. This is why Suresh Logan prefers to play at midnight, when it is RM10 cheaper.
“It is RM90 if you play after midnight, but sometimes not everyone in my group is able to come at that hour,” said the 21-year-old law student.
“When I was a school student, we enjoyed a student discount and only paid RM70 per hour.
“Now, we have to think twice about spending so much money on recreation,” said Suresh.
Wilson Nathan plays badminton at least four times a week.
“I play indoors and the cost of booking a court is about RM25 per hour, though this depends on the location and quality of the facility.
