Malaysia has turned down an offer to host the next Commonwealth Games, citing concerns about the cost of the quadrennial sporting event.
The country’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Hannah Yeoh, who disclosed this on Friday, said the government decided after concluding that the Commonwealth Games Federation’s offer of 100 million pounds ($126.21m) in supporting funds would not cover the entire cost.
“The Ministry of Youth and Sports today announced the government’s decision not to accept an offer from the Commonwealth Games Federation to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games,” Minister Hannah Yeoh said in a statement.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) extended an offer of 100 million pounds ($125 million) to Malaysia and other potential hosts, with just over two years remaining until the Games are scheduled to take place.
However, the Malaysian government expressed reservations about the offer, stating that it was unlikely to cover the entire cost of organizing such a large-scale sports event.
“The government wants to focus on the development of sports as well as the welfare and well-being of the people,” Yeoh said.
The proposal sparked mixed reactions in Malaysia, with concerns raised over economic considerations and everyday issues, including the recent decline in the value of the ringgit. Malaysia’s Olympic Council had previously suggested hosting a scaled-down version of the event.
The request for Malaysia to host the Games came after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew its bid last year, citing a significant increase in estimated costs.
A report by Victoria’s Auditor-General’s Office criticized the cancellation decision, noting that the cost estimates were overstated and lacked transparency.
The Commonwealth Games, which bring together athletes from over 70 nations and territories, hold historical significance as most participants are former constituents of the British Empire.
The 2022 event took place in Birmingham, UK, following the revocation of hosting rights from Durban, South Africa, due to failure to meet specified criteria.
Malaysia, having declared independence from British rule in 1957, previously hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1998 in Kuala Lumpur, marking the first time an Asian country had organised the event.
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