Sports centre opens in Putrajaya mall

SPORTS enthusiasts, especially badminton players looking for a world-class sporting facility in Putrajaya, can now rejoice with the opening of the brand-new IOI Sports Centre.

Spanning 41,375sq ft on the fourth floor of IOI City Mall’s Phase 2 in IOI Resort City, the sports centre comprises 15 badminton courts and two mini futsal courts that can be combined into a futsal arena or event space.

Speaking at the launch, IOI Properties Group Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Voon Tin Yow said the amenities offered would bolster IOI Sports Centre’s brand as an attractive venue and elevate the mall to a lifestyle destination that offers more than just shopping, dining and entertainment.

“The Sports Centre will be a platform for lifestyle seekers who want to stay active and maintain a healthy social life.

“It will be a good place for those who wish to pick up badminton as a new sport or hone their skills.

“This facility has the potential to capture both international and local markets, putting Putrajaya on the world map.

“We hope the sports centre can host national badminton tournaments in the future,” he added.

The facility will be managed by Malaysia’s badminton legend Datuk Rashid Sidek.

In conjunction with the launch, Voon also announced the partnership with Kelab Badminton Rashid Sidek (KBRS) to form IOI Rashid Sidek Badminton Academy.

Taking up the role of head coach and training programme director is Rashid himself, who will also oversee a team of highly qualified and experienced coaches for the academy.

“I am glad that IOI Properties Group built this world-class facility as this will surely help develop new talents.

“Existing elite players can use this centre as their training ground to excel in international competitive badminton,” said Rashid.

Aimed at discovering and nurturing new and existing talents, it will also provide consultation to educational institutions, sports organisations, clubs and companies that require expertise on this sport.

The sports centre opens from 10am to 11pm, Monday to Sunday.

Rental for the badminton and futsal courts are priced at RM25 per hour (10am to 6pm) and RM35 per hour (6pm to 11pm), as well as RM100 per hour (10am to 6pm) and RM130 per hour (6pm to 11pm), respectively.

Those who would like to join the IOI Rashid Sidek Badminton Academy can opt for private, semi-private or group sessions with prices starting from RM80 per session or RM280 for four sessions. A one-time registration fee of RM50 is applicable.

From now until Sept 30, IOI Rashid Sidek Badminton Academy is offering a 20% early-bird discount for training sessions.

Meanwhile, over at the mall’s second floor, there is the IOI City Farm, the first urban indoor farm park in Malaysia.

It has three zones – Greenland, Little Rimba and Freshwater World. Greenland is home to 111 living plant species spread across nine sections while Little Rimba features 17 animals such as sugar slider, hedgehog, Bengal cat, raccoon, chinchilla, marmoset and fennec fox.

Children can also pet and feed child-friendly furry friends like rabbit, guinea pig, chick and duckling.

The Freshwater World has over 50 aquatic species ranging from river giants such as the Amazonian arapaima and Amur sturgeon to tiny crustaceans such as vampire crab and bamboo shrimp.

Young visitors can also dip their hands into the touch pool to gently pet underwater creatures there.

Tickets are priced at RM48 for children and RM37 for adults on weekdays, and RM58 for children and RM48 for adults on weekends.

It is open daily from 10am to 10pm.