22-3-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysia announced on Friday (Mar 22) its decision to decline hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games due to financial considerations, dealing a blow to the event perceived as outdated by some.
The verdict came after a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, following the withdrawal of the Australian state of Victoria last year.
Hannah Yeoh, the Minister of Youth and Sports, stated in a release, “The Ministry of Youth and Sports today announced the government’s decision not to accept an offer from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.”
The CGF is now in search of a replacement host after Victoria pulled out last July due to escalating costs. Malaysia, along with other potential hosts, was offered £100 million (US$125 million) by the federation to replace Victoria.
However, Yeoh explained that the government deemed the offer insufficient to cover the expenses of organizing a large-scale sporting event. “The government wants to focus on the development of sports as well as the welfare and well-being of the people,” she added.
Victoria’s unexpected withdrawal and the absence of a clear alternative sparked discussions about the future of the Games, which occur every four years and were last held in Birmingham in 2022.
While the CGF hinted at Malaysia not being the sole country approached to host the Games, Singapore recently disclosed that it is evaluating the feasibility of the CGF’s proposal. Singapore, known for hosting the annual Formula One night race, is also slated to organize the World Aquatics Championships in 2025.
The notion of Malaysia stepping in to host the Games had ignited intense debate. Mohamad Norza Zakaria, president of the Commonwealth Games Association of Malaysia, had viewed it as a golden opportunity to put Malaysia back on the sporting radar. However, doubts surfaced after current and former senior officials expressed reservations.
Khairy Jamaluddin, a former youth and sports minister, criticized the proposal as “reckless,” emphasizing the tight timeline for planning as the Games approach rapidly. He underscored that any host would require a minimum of four years to upgrade venues, secure sponsorships, and establish infrastructure.
“The Commonwealth Games is not a significant, marquee sporting event,” Khairy asserted. “As far as multi-sport Games are concerned, it is nowhere near the Olympics or even the Asian Games in terms of participation, exposure, and returns.”
