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.
“It doesn’t have to include 15 sports. It could be 10 sports, resulting in a smaller opening and closing ceremonies,” OCM secretary-general Nazifuddin Najib said.
“So, all of that can be discussed, but we’ll let the decision come from the Cabinet.”
Youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh had confirmed that the government is 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,” she was quoted as saying by New Straits Times.
Victoria’s 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.
Malaysia said last week the CGF offered “a significant financial investment” of £100 million (about RM601.5 million) to help in hosting the games.
But dissent has emerged over the prospect of hosting the event, with former youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin criticising the idea as “reckless” because the games are a little over two years away.
However, the CGF has suggested that Malaysia is not the only country that could potentially stage the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Singapore, which is aiming to host more large-scale sports events, said last week it was “assessing the feasibility” of the CGF’s invitation to host the games.
The city-state holds the Formula One night race annually and will be hosting the World Aquatic Championships in 2025. The Youth Olympic Games was also held in Singapore in 2010.
Some observers have said both Malaysia and Singapore should co-host the event, a point that was also raised by the OCM.
“There is a possibility that we can collaborate with Singapore, but there is also a possibility that Singapore can decide to take over as the organiser and we miss this opportunity,” Nazifuddin said.
Song Seng Wun, economic adviser for CGS International, said a “significantly scaled-down games will be more doable but will still require a significant amount of money”.
A joint bid could be “the only solution on paper”, he told AFP. “Singapore is too small and will need more infrastructure investment.”