Malaysia Turns Down RM603M To Host Commonwealth Games As It's Not Enough To Cover Expenses
The government thanked the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) for offering the opportunity to host the event.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 22 Mar 2024, 04:34 PM
Malaysia has turned down the offer to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh
In a tweet today, 22 March, Yeoh said the decision was made during a cabinet meeting after considering all aspects and implications of hosting a major sports event.
Despite the RM603 million grant offered by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), the cabinet decided that the fund was insufficient to cover the expenses required to host the large-scale event, the Youth and Sports Ministry said in a statement.
"The economic impact [of hosting the event] cannot be realised in the nearest time.
"The government would like to extend our appreciation to CGF for offering the opportunity to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
"However, the government, at the moment, wants to focus on sports development and looking after the welfare and livelihood of the people," read the statement.
Earlier this month, the Olympic Council of Malaysia revealed that discussions were taking place with the Youth and Sports Ministry to assess the feasibility of hosting the Games
The offer to host the Games received mixed reactions from the public, including from Tun Hashim Mohd Ali, a figure who played a prominent role in Malaysia's hosting of the 1998 Commonwealth Games, reported the New Straits Times.
He had made it clear that it would be unfeasible for Malaysia to host the major sporting event with only two years to prepare.
