The growing popularity of football in the Malaysian state Kedah has prompted the local government to plan a new 60,000-capacity stadium.

According to the Malaysian National News Agency, several design and construction proposals for the project have been received by the Kedah government, which will now choose a scheme to proceed with.

The new stadium will be located outside the state’s main city, Alor Setar. It will replace the 30,000-seat Stadium Darulaman as the home of popular Malaysia Super League side Kedah FA, which finished third in last year’s table.

"The number of fans coming is on the rise and so we want to build a new stadium as soon as possible to further motivate the team, as well as to provide comfort to all fans and supporters," said Kedah Football Association president Ahmad Bashah bin Md Hanipah, who is also the state’s head of government.

"The project will not only involve construction of a stadium, but also a commercial area, food court and sports centre. So, we would really welcome participation of the private sector," he added.

Malaysian prime minister Najib Tun Razak recently announced a new racetrack will be built in nearby Sungai Petani. Ahmad Bashah said that this, along with the new stadium, will achieve a goal for “each district in Kedah to have its own attraction, and not be centred on any one.”

Malaysia is gradually investing in its sporting infrastructure. In 2015, sports architects Populous and construction firm the Malaysian Resources Corporation were appointed to redevelop the Bukit Jalil National Sports Complex – the 87,000-capacity venue for the 1998 Commonwealth Games – and transform it into a new, iconic Kuala Lumpur Sports City.

It will be completed in time to host the Southeast Asian Games in August this year.