Tunku Mahkota Ismail Graces New JDT Training Centre Groundbreaking Ceremony

ISKANDAR PUTERI, May 19 (Bernama) -- Johor Regent, Tunku Mahkota Ismail graced the groundbreaking of a new Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) training centre, aimed at improving the professional football ecosystem in the state.

The Regent was accompanied by Raja Muda Johor Tunku Iskandar Tunku Ismail and Tunku Abu Bakar Ibrahim Tunku Ismail.

JDT chief executive officer Luis Garcia said the development was vital to spur the club’s game standards and quality to a higher level, especially after achieving remarkable success at the domestic and Asian levels.

“To build this kind of facility is what can push JDT to the next level. We had an amazing season, breaking all kinds of records and competing in the ACLE quarterfinals against teams with huge budgets, but to continue progressing, this investment is necessary," he said after the ceremony at the grounds of Sultan Ibrahim Stadium here today.

He added that the centralised training centre that will be built on the 39-acre (15.78 hectare) site in front of the stadium will be among the most modern football training facilities in the Asian region when completed in the next two or three years.

He said that the mega development reflects the continued vision and commitment of JDT’s owner Tunku Mahkota Ismail in ensuring the club continues to expand as a professional football entity that is competitive domestically and internationally.

The measure is also seen as being in line with efforts to develop local young talent and raising the standard of sports infrastructure in Johor, and proves JDT’s commitment in setting a new benchmark for Malaysian football and the Asian region, he added.

-- BERNAMA