Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia decided on Friday not to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games due to costs, the government said, in a fresh blow to an event some see as outdated.
The decision, taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, follows last year’s withdrawal by the Australian state of Victoria.
“The Ministry of Youth and Sport today announced the Government’s decision not to accept the bid from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games,” Minister Hannah Yeoh said in a statement.
CGF is struggling to find a host after Victoria pulled out last July due to soaring costs.
The CGF has offered Malaysia and other potential hosts 100 million pounds ($125 million) to enter the game, with the Games just over two years away.
But the Malaysian government said the bid “is not expected to be able to cover the full cost of hosting a major sporting event”, Yeoh said.
“The government wants to focus on the development of sports and the well-being and well-being of the people,” she added.
