Malaysia rules out hosting 2026 Commonwealth Games over cost

Malaysia decided against hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games because of the cost, the government said on Friday, in a fresh blow to the Commonwealth Games programme - an event seen as outdated by some.

The decision, made at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, follows Victoria's withdrawal last year.

"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," minister Hannah Yeoh said in a statement.

With another blow, the CGF is scrambling to find a host after Australia's Victoria withdrew last July due to soaring costs.

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With their backs against the wall and small window, the CGF offered Malaysia and other potential hosts 100 million pounds to step in with just over two years until the Games.

But the Malaysian government said the offer was "not expected to be able to cover the entire cost of organising a large-scale sports event", Yeoh said.

"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 shocking move, and lack of an obvious alternative, triggered debate over the future of the Games, which take place every four years and were last held in Birmingham in 2022.

The CGF had hailed Malaysia's "fantastic track record" this month, the country having staged the Games -- which mostly includes former British colonies -- in 1998.

But the CGF had indicated that Malaysia was not the only country it had approached to host the Games.

Singapore said it was "assessing the feasibility" of the CGF's proposal. The city-state also holds the Formula One night race annually and will be staging the World Aquatics Championships in 2025.

'Reckless'

The prospect of Malaysia stepping in to host the Commonwealth Games had sparked a debate.

Mohamad Norza Zakaria, president of the Commonwealth Games Association of Malaysia, had called it a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" that could put Malaysia back on the sporting map.

But doubts emerged last week after current and former senior officials expressed reservations.

Khairy Jamaluddin, a former youth and sports minister, rubbished the idea and called it "reckless" because the Games are coming up fast, leaving little time for planning.

Any host would need at least four years to upgrade venues, plan sponsorship and set up infrastructure, he told 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.

(with inputs from AFP)