EV chargers, solar panels, among Kuala Lumpur City FC’s green plans
Kuala Lumpur City FC fans would have noticed its players heading out to the field in green jerseys before their home matches in the just concluded Malaysian Super League at the Kuala Lumpur Stadium in Cheras.
The jerseys, with the words “KL Bandaraya Rendah Karbon” (KL Low Carbon City), are a teaser of the city outfit’s green initiatives, carried out in collaboration with Kuala Lumpur City Hall.
“We wrote to City Hall several months ago, asking the council to adopt the Cheras Stadium as a green area, and they agreed. It’s an initiative to encourage the usage of electric vehicles and other eco-friendly products in and around the stadium,” said Kuala Lumpur City FC chief executive officer Stanley Bernard.
“Thanks to City Hall’s support and some funding, we have initiated several plans, including creating awareness of keeping our surroundings green via LED boards in the stadium, getting our players and officials to wear the green jerseys before our home matches, and encouraging the use of paper products by our food vendors.”
Bernard said the food operators at the stadium are open to going green as they have been providing patrons with paper cups and boxes.
“It doesn’t stop there. We want to ensure it’s 100 per cent eco-friendly, including phasing out water bottles and replacing them with boxed water.
“We’ve also allocated parking spots for our season pass holders who drive EVs to the stadium,” he added.
Bernard said such initiatives were just a teaser of the football team’s bigger plans. They include installing EV chargers around the stadium.
Bernard also dreams of having solar panels to power the floodlights at the venue.
“We are open to speaking to partners about equipping the stadium with EV chargers. We need the right business model ... a revenue stream that will benefit the operators, Kuala Lumpur City and City Hall.
“Installing solar panels would be a dream come true. We can save so much, in terms of energy and funds, if the floodlights are solar-powered. There are many other ways we can capitalise on solar panels, too,” said Bernard.
The number of fans that flock to the 18,000-capacity stadium during match days and big competitions ranges between 2,500 and 15,000, providing marketing opportunities.
The stadium, opposite Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, is surrounded by several housing estates, the Bandar Tun Razak Sports Complex and the Permaisuri Lake Gardens.
Bernard is open to having conversations with interested parties who are eager to join the club’s aspiration.
“If we do this right, we will encourage more football clubs and venue operators to go green,” he added.
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