KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has decided to reject the offer to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games due to cost reasons.
The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Friday (22 March).
Malaysia’s rejection is a major blow to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) following the withdrawal of the Australian state of Victoria last year.
Victoria was originally scheduled to host the sports event which is held every four years.
Since then, CGF has had difficulty finding a new host to replace Victoria who withdrew due to soaring costs.
“The Ministry of Youth and Sports today announced the government’s decision not to accept CGF’s offer to host,” said minister Hannah Yeoh.
CGF offered Malaysia and other potential hosts £100 million to replace Victoria.
However, the Malaysian government said the offer “cannot cover the full costs of holding a large-scale sporting event,” Yeoh said.
“The government wants to focus on sports development as well as the welfare of the Malaysian people.”
This hosting crisis has sparked long-standing questions about the future of a sporting event that is often said to be out of date.
The final sporting event for the former British colonial countries will be held in Birmingham, England in 2022.
CGF said Malaysia was not the only country they contacted to host.
Singapore recently said it was “currently evaluating the feasibility” of the CGF proposal.
Singapore has experience hosting Formula One night races every year, the Summer Youth Olympics in 2010 and will host the World Swimming Championships in 2025
