Malaysia declines to host the Commonwealth Games in 2026

The government said on Friday that Malaysia has opted not to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games due to financial concerns, dealing a new blow to an event that some consider to be archaic.

The choice was decided at a cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and came about as a result of Victoria, the Australian state, leaving last year.

In a statement, Minister Hannah Yeoh stated, “The Ministry of Youth and Sports today announced the government’s decision not to accept an offer from the Commonwealth Games Federation to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.”

Due to rising expenses, Victoria withdrew in July, and the CGF is now on a desperate search for a new host.

With just under two years until the Games are scheduled to take place, the CGF offered 100 million pounds ($125 million) to Malaysia and other possible hosts to step in.

Yeoh stated that the offer was “not expected to be able to cover the entire cost of organising a large-scale sports event,” according to the Malaysian government.

She continued, “The government wants to focus on the welfare and well-being of the people as well as the development of sports.”

The abrupt relocation of Victoria, coupled with the absence of a clear substitute, led to discussions regarding the Games’ future. The Games are held every four years; Birmingham served as host in 2022.

Malaysia has a “fantastic track record,” having hosted the Games in 1998. The Games are held in most of the former British territories. This was praised by the CGF earlier this month.

However, the CGF also hinted that it has approached other nations in addition to Malaysia to host the Games.

Singapore recently declared that it was “evaluating the viability” of the CGF’s suggestion.

In addition to hosting the Formula One night race every year, the affluent city-state will host the World Aquatics Championships in 2025.

“Careless”

There has been a lot of discussion about the possibility of Malaysia hosting the Games in its place.

The head of the Malaysian Commonwealth Games Association, Mohamad Norza Zakaria, described it as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” that might help Malaysia regain its reputation as a major player in sports.

However, this week, skepticism about the plan surfaced due to misgivings expressed by both current and past senior officials.

The concept was dismissed by former youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who termed it “reckless” because there isn’t much time for preparing with the Games rapidly approaching.

According to him, any host would require a minimum of four years to prepare sponsorship, update venues, and set up infrastructure (AFP).

“The Commonwealth Games is not a significant, marquee sporting event,” he added.

“As far as multi-sports Games are concerned, it is nowhere near the Olympics or even the Asian Games in terms of participation, exposure and returns,” Khairy said.

AFP