The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) said today it was considering hosting a "downsized" Commonwealth Games in 2026 but the final decision would lie with the government. The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is scrambling to find a host after the Australian state of Victoria abruptly pulled out in July last year, citing spiralling costs.
"For example, it doesn't have to include 15 sports. It could be 10 sports, resulting in a smaller opening and closing ceremony," OCM secretary-general Mohamad Nazifuddin Najib said. "So, all of that can be discussed, but we'll let the decision come from the cabinet."
Malaysian sports minister Hannah Yeoh confirmed that the government was considering the plan to host the Games. "The most important thing is that when the decision is made, we assure you it will be after taking into consideration all the possible angles," said Hannah.
Victorias sudden move, and the lack of an obvious alternative, triggered debate about the future of the games, which take place every four years and were last held in Birmingham in 2022.
"Ultimately it is up to the government to decide but we are definitely looking forward to having the games here. We can even hold the qualifiers for the games before the actual competition. This would allow us to fine tune our preparations to host the games. We have some quality lifters at the moment and if the games are held here we will do our best to better the two gold (Aniq, Aznil) we managed to win in Birmingham." said Hafiz today.
Malaysia Aquatics (MAS) secretary-general Andy Low is concerned the high costs involved in organising the games could anger the public. "Of course we would like it to be held here and we will give our full support to make it a success. The costs to hold the games, however, will not be low and the public may get angry if our (contingent) medal haul is not impressive. At the moment we are still depending on the same athletes (to deliver medals), perhaps it is time to revamp our programmes."
Malaysia Rugby (MR) honorary secretary Fahmy Jalil said hosting the games will give Malaysian rugby players the chance to lock horns with some of the biggest names in the sport on home soil. "I was in Form Three when we last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1998 and I can still remember watching the final between Fiji and New Zealand. Today, about 75%of the teams competing in the World Sevens Series also compete in the Commonwealth Games, so it would be a great opportunity for our boys to play them on home soil." said Fahmy.
"It would also be good for our officials to learn and experience hosting a tournament of this scale as most of those (Malaysians) who organised the rugby event in 1998 have passed away."
Rugby, a sport with English origins, is popular in Commonwealth countries.
