The National Stadium was named as the Stadium of the Year at the World Stadium Congress in Amsterdam. Pic by ZUNNUR AL SHAFIQ
The National Stadium was named as the Stadium of the Year at the World Stadium Congress in Amsterdam. Pic by ZUNNUR AL SHAFIQ

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Stadium in Bukit Jalil was named Stadium of the Year at the World Stadium Congress in Amsterdam recently.

The 87,411-capacity stadium was picked ahead of U Arena, Stade de France and Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, all in France.

The National Stadium, which was built for the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, is ranked ninth among the world’s biggest stadiums.

National Stadium Board (PSM) chief executive officer Azman Fahmi Osman said it is a huge recognition for Malaysia.

“The win proves that the National Stadium, also the biggest venue in Southeast Asia, is a world class facility,” he said.

The National Stadium also hosted last year’s Kuala Lumpur Sea Games, the 2007 AFC Asian Cup and exhibition matches involving Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.