KUALA LUMPUR – The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has offered the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) the opportunity to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games with RM602 million in aid after Victoria, Australia, withdrew from hosting duties last year.
“The Commonwealth Games Association of Malaysia (CGAM) and CGF have been in discussions regarding the opportunity for Malaysia to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games since last month.
“With the existing world-class facilities, Malaysia is well-equipped to host an international event of Commonwealth magnitude involving 74 Commonwealth nations and territories,” said CGAM president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria in a statement today.
Earlier, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh announced that the cabinet would discuss and decide in the coming days after thoroughly examining a study on the aspects of organising the multi-sport event.
Analysts said that the current government’s decision to even consider hosting the Commonwealth Games was absurd, citing that it would not have the budget to upgrade the existing facilities across the country.
Especially with the country set to host the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games in 2027.
Another disadvantage of Malaysia hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games is that the country’s athletes will not have enough time to prepare for the event, potentially leading to a disastrous performance.
Malaysia last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1998, where the contingent finished fourth on the medal table with a total of 36 medals (10 golds, 14 silvers and 12 bronzes).
It was reported that the Malaysian government, under the leadership of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, spent more than RM1.029 billion to host the 98 Games.
The total bill amounted to nearly US$5 billion (RM23.4 billion) due to the provision of new roads, railways, land acquisitions and other facilities, which included building the new Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Victoria was announced as the host of the 2026 Games in April 2022 but announced that it would withdraw from its hosting duties last year, citing financial constraints.
It even agreed to an AU$380 million (RM1.17 billion) payout to the CGF for pulling out. – 11 March, 2024