He said the bids for the project could be sent via the Penang Stadium Corporation and Open Spaces.

According to Chow, the official request for proposal for the project has been issued and will close by April.

Checks by FMT with the corporation’s Facebook page showed that the RFP was issued on Nov 21 last year.

“This is a private initiative and we hope the private sector will view this as a feasible project,” Chow said when launching the Nibong Tebal Arena today.

He said the future of Penang is in Seberang Perai, particularly in Batu Kawan.

The Sports City project in Batu Kawan was reportedly first announced by the former state youth and sports committee chairman Soon Lip Chee last year.

Chow said the tender process, which covers not only the Batu Kawan Stadium but also adjacent areas such as parking spaces and the front section of the stadium, follows two years of planning and deliberation.

“This project will include various sports facilities, such as an aquatic centre and venues for other types of sports,” he said.

He acknowledged the challenge for the private sector to finance such a high-investment project without incorporating features that would balance the investment requirements.

As such, he said, the Sports City could include an academy, as well as commercial and residential elements.