KUALA LUMPUR (June 20): The first phase of rejuvenation works at the Kuala Lumpur Sports City in Bukit Jalil here is expected to be handed over to the Malaysia Stadium Corp by the middle of July since 98% of the work has been completed, according to a Bernama report.

Bernama reported Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd (MRCB) general manager of special projects S. Nalgunalingam as saying that the remaining 2% of the works concern testing, documentation, commissioning of facilities and equipment for accreditation by international sports associations ahead of the 29th Kuala Lumpur SEA Games in August.

"The international body certification is part of requirements as this is an international sporting venue, which compliance to international sporting standards to host world class sporting events will be completed in the next 2%," he told a media briefing and project site visit here today.

"We have added green space around the stadiums from 5% to 30% now besides the new covered walkway from the Bukit Jalil LRT Station to the venues for the comfort of the public in the new boulevard," he added.

Bernama said the first phase of the project costing RM500 million under MRCB includes the upgrading of the National Stadium, Axiata Arena (previously known as Putra Stadium), National Aquatics Centre, National Hockey Stadium and also a large-scale plaza and infrastructure development at the National Sports Complex.

Nalgunalingam said the venues will be handed over to the Malaysia Stadium Corp in phases upon getting green light from International Association of Athletics Federations, the Federation of International Football Association, the International Hockey Federation and the International Swimming Federation.

The second phase involving the KL Sports City project costing RM1.1 billion is expected to begin after the Ninth Asean Para Games, which is scheduled from Sept 17 to 23.