PORT DICKSON: Stadium Perpaduan Kuching will be the venue for the Malaysia Open scheduled for April 4 to 9 next year.

Due to ongoing renovations at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil, the BA of Malaysia (BAM) on Saturday confirmed the new venue after their council meeting in Port Dickson.

BAM secretary Ng Chin Chai said Stadium Perpaduan was chosen ahead of other shortlisted venues because the Sarawak state government has agreed to sponsor the event financially.

“We had at least five other options, but decided to go with Kuching because the state government has decided to assist us financially.

“So the Malaysia Masters (Jan 17-22) will be held in Sibu, while the Malaysia Open will be in Kuching,” said Chin Chai.

Total prize money for the Malaysia Open, which is a Super Series Premier event, is US$600,000.

Apart from the venue confirmation, the council also approved the budget for 2017, which was presented by BAM’s finance committee and Morten Frost (BAM technical director)’s plan for next year.

-New Straits Times