THE MALAYSIAN government has decided to turn down an offer from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) to host the next Commonwealth Games in 2026.
In a statement, the Youth and Sports Ministry said that the Cabinet had arrived at this decision during its meeting in Putrajaya today.
Having considered all aspects of preparing for the games in just two years, the ministers felt that the implications of accepting the invitation would be heavy..
It added that the economic benefits of hosting the quadrennial games cannot be ascertained immediately, and therefore it was decided that the government should steer clear of committing to such a mega event which would entail high costs and extensive use of resources
The government is instead intent on focussing on sports development and the welfare and well-being of the people for now.
"The CGF delegation met Youth and Sports Minister (Hannah Yeoh) and held a briefing session regarding the offer to host the games, which was also attended by the Finance Minister II (Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan) on February 5," said the statement.
The cabinet today mulled over what transpired from the meeting with the CGF representatives.
It was felt that even with CGF's offer to contribute 100 million pounds (RM603 million) towards the organising of the games, the country is not ready to take on the responsibility of managing an event of such a scale.
It is said that the Commonwealth Games in the second largest sporting event in the world after the Olympics.
The invitation came about after the state of Victoria in Australia withdrew as the host last year due to an increase in costs, from the initial expectation of AUD2.6 billion (approx. RM8.09 billion) to AUD7 billion (RM21.78 billion).
The Victoria state government reportedly agreed to pay AUD380 million for breach of contract in failing to host the games as scheduled from March 17 to 29, 2026.
Malaysia last hosted the games in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.
On March 11, the Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) of Malaysia had expressed optimism at Malaysia's capability to play host, and had urged the government consider the “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity.
Its president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria said that the country possesses existing world-class facilities and is able to host international events such as the Commonwealth Games which would see the participation of 74 Commonwealth nations and territories.
He stressed that the hosting would involve minimal government spending and bring significant socioeconomic benefits to the country.
“It will also elevate the standard of Malaysian sports much like the way it did in the aftermath of the 1998 Games,” he had said. – The Vibes, March 22, 2024
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