School of Global Hospitality and Tourism (SoGHT) students were able to connect their classroom learning with real-world applications and receive valuable career advice, deepening their understanding into managing the massive venue, including the corporate box, main stadium, and home dressing room.

Last month, students Shayan Akhlaq and Fathimath Shaiha from Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation’s (APU) School of Global Hospitality and Tourism (SoGHT), guided by Senior Lecturer Shazeel Ali Sardar Ali, embarked on an exciting educational tour of Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

Known for its impressive capacity of 87,411, Bukit Jalil National Stadium is Southeast Asia’s largest stadium and the fifteenth largest in the world.

Opened for the 1998 Commonwealth Games and later hosting major events like the 2001 and 2017 Southeast Asian Games, it remains a key venue for international football matches, national finals, and major concerts.

This visit, part of their Sports Recreational Facilities Management module, aimed to provide hands-on insights into the operation of a world-class sports facility.

The students were warmly welcomed by Ms. Mastura Mohd. Nadzir, Mr. Khairul Anuar Che Ani, and Mr. Mohd Azmil Azyi Yusof, all seasoned sports management professionals.

The tour began with an exploration of the corporate box, showcasing luxurious amenities for VIPs and its role in revenue generation.

The students were then awed by the stadium’s grandeur, learning about the complexities of managing such a massive venue, including crowd control and event logistics.

They also visited the home dressing room, equipped with top-tier facilities to ensure athlete comfort, and explored the media center, VIP lounges, and training areas.

This experience connected their classroom knowledge with real-world applications, highlighting the intricacies of sports facility management and opening their eyes to career opportunities in the field.

The interaction with industry professionals inspired the students, providing valuable insights and career advice.

Shayan Akhlaq reflected on how the visit to Bukit Jalil National Stadium transformed their understanding of sports facility management.

“Seeing the complexities of managing such a massive venue, from logistics to revenue strategies, brought our classroom lessons to life,” he said.

Fathimath Shaiha found the interactions with professionals like Ms. Mastura, Mr. Khairul Anuar, and Mr. Mohd Azmil enlightening.

“Their passion and dedication gave us a clear view of the skills needed for this industry. We left feeling inspired and equipped with valuable advice for pursuing careers in sports facility management,” she shared.