Kickstarting Dreams: Astro’s #IniPadangKita Initiative Revives Local Football Fields!

Every footballer's journey in Malaysia starts somewhere, and it's usually not in a massive stadium, but on a humble padang (field). These local fields are the true heart of our football culture , where dreams are born and communities gather.

Inspired by this deep connection, Astro has proudly launched the #IniPadangKita initiative! This effort is all about championing grassroots sports and giving back to our local communities.

What is #IniPadangKita all about?

The goal of #IniPadangKita is simple: to restore and rejuvenate our beloved local fields. Astro wants to transform these spaces into safe, vibrant areas where kids can play, youth can train, and the community can come together.

As Astro Group Chief Executive Officer, Euan Smith, put it, "This is about giving back to the places that shaped so many of our own stories and ensuring that these fields remain alive, safe, and full of promise for years to come". Astro is committed to supporting grassroots football and nurturing young talent across the country.

The First Kick-Off: Hulu Langat

The very first field to benefit from this initiative was the Padang Bola Sepak Kampung Jawa in Hulu Langat. This field is home to the Serama Football Academy, a community-run academy supported by local families. Over 100 children from nearby villages, including the Orang Asli communities, train here weekly. This academy has already helped nurture young talents who have caught the eye of big teams like JDT, Selangor, and PDRM!

The restoration works kicked off on October 16. Astro and its sponsors got hands-on:

  • They repainted the field lines and benches.

  • They replaced the old goal nets.

  • They even built a new small shelter.

Training with the Stars

Just two days after the restoration, the field was buzzing with excitement! Astro hosted a special football clinic led by their renowned pundits and former players. The young aspiring footballers got a rare chance to train side-by-side with their heroes, including:

  1. Farizal Marlias

  2. Razman Roslan

  3. Nizaruddin Yusof

  4. S. Subramaniam

  5. Players from KL City FC

This turned the newly refurbished padang into a vibrant space for learning and mentorship.

This first clinic was supported by official sponsors Decathlon, who provided sports equipment, and Sports Media & Distributor, who provided sports apparel, ensuring the aspiring players were fully equipped to train.

More Fields to Come!

The #IniPadangKita initiative is more than just fixing up fields—it's about reigniting the strong community spirit that powers Malaysian football.

Keep an eye out! More clinics are coming soon, and maybe, just maybe, they'll be at a padang near you!

Padang Bola Sepak Admin