Padang Datuk Arumugam, named after the Port Klang local boy and national footballer, is no longer playable due to lack of maintenance. ― Photos: RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
PADANG Pekeliling in Port Klang was renamed in honour of Selangor and national goalkeeper Datuk R. Arumugam in 2018, but the football field where one of Malaysia’s finest sportsmen played at is a shadow of its former self.
These days, what is left of the football field are two rusty goalposts and a playing surface that is overgrown with waist-high weeds, shrubs and even a few unplanned trees.
Vellayutham says Starbrite FC discovered the field’s sorry state when they booked the stadium for the Datuk R. Arumugam Memorial Tournament in 2019.
Instead of spectators, the front row of the grandstand is occupied by plants.
“It is disgraceful and disrespectful to someone who contributed so much to the state and country,” said Klang resident A. Vellayutham who was a close friend of the late Arumugam.
Vellayutham, who is Starbrite Football Club deputy president, said the field was where Arumugam honed his skills in the 1960s.
Arumugam, who was one of Starbrite FC’s founders, had envisioned the field to nurture future generations of young footballers from around Port Klang.
The field was also where ex-national player P. Dharmalingam trained under the football legend.
In addition to the field, Jalan Pekeliling was also renamed in honour of the late Arumugam. – KK SHAM/The Star
“It was the go-to place for youths who loved football,” said Vellayutham.
He said the field, at one point known as Padang Ventoren, had been in an acceptable condition until a few years ago, and they had to bring soil to patch up parts of the field.
“Many tournaments and friendly matches among youth and veteran clubs were played there until we made an alarming discovery.
“In 2019, we planned to hold an Under-19 event (Datuk R. Arumugam Memorial Tournament) and had booked the field to be used as the main venue, along with Padang Marine about 300m away, so that we could hold more matches in a day,” said Vellayutham.
“We went to check the field before the tournament, and were shocked to discover that the grass was at least 30cm tall and had remained uncut despite us asking Klang Municipal Council (MPK) to do so after we paid the booking fee.
“The ground was also soggy. Thankfully we managed to get our booking fee back.
“It looks like the council has not done anything after that either.
The grandstand of Padang Datuk Arumugam is overgrown with wild vegetation.
“It is heartbreaking to look at the field now. We don’t know why MPK has neglected it.”
“Another local club, Port Rangers FC, which had mooted the idea of renaming the field in Arumugam’s honour, had also raised the same questions about the field,” he added.
(The football club had mooted the idea to MIC president Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran.)
At the nearby Padang Marine along Jalan Pelabuhan Selatan, Port Rangers FC deputy president Soh Chin Lai said the situation would improve if Padang Datuk Arumugam was handed over to both clubs to manage.
“We are very frustrated with the way the field has been left to deteriorate, more so because we consider Padang Datuk Arumugam to be our homeground as well.
“When Arumugam was alive, he had talked about Starbrite FC taking over the field and maintaining it with funds collected through rental.
Arumugam had contributed to sports development in Port Klang and was said to have wanted the club he founded to take over the field.
“We are contemplating taking it over together with Starbrite FC to ensure it is properly cared for, but we don’t know exactly how it can be done.
“Perhaps we can jointly maintain it and share the profits from bookings,” said Soh, who grew up with Arumugam.
“We will ensure that matches are held regularly and instal lights so games or training can be held at night.”
He said that because the local council had not carried out regular maintenance over the years, a lot more work was needed now to restore the field.
Klang Rangers Soccer Academy coach A. Sammugam, who runs a weekend training programme for youths at Mariner’s Field, said the lack of maintenance and availability of fields in Port Klang for children to train was worrying.
“There used to be more options for us when it came to training grounds, and Ventoren Field was the place to be.
“Now, there are fewer fields for youths to train at,” he said.
Sammugam says the lack of fields in Port Klang suitable for training is worrying.
Sammugam said the Pandamaran football fields nearby had been reduced from three to two pitches.
He added that the fields were also used by foreign workers for cricket matches.
Selangor human capital development, sports and youth generation development committee chairman Mohd Khairuddin Othman said Padang Arumugam was previously leased to and managed by a private company, which neglected the field.
“MPK has initiated a new lease with another interested party, and is in the process of finalising the deal.
“The state government will ensure MPK expedites the process, and will monitor the progress accordingly.
“Pending completion of the process, MPK will rectify the condition of the field immediately,” Mohd Khairuddin assured.
StarMetro’s report in February 2018 about the renaming of the field.
MPK president Noraini Roslan, when contacted by StarMetro, said the local council would carry out work immediately, before the new company took over.
Vellayutham said he hoped MPK and Selangor government would do better in maintaining the field.
“It is important that we honour Arumugam not just with words and gestures, but also tangible actions that demonstrate our gratitude and respect.
“Restoring Padang Datuk Arumugam and ensuring it returns to its former glory would be a meaningful way to do that.
“Perhaps this time, they can hold an opening ceremony or tournament to commemorate the field’s renaming, which was never done,” he said.
