KUALA LUMPUR – There is a possibility that Malaysia could join forces with Singapore to co-host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, as revealed by Datuk Nazifuddin Najib, the secretary-general of the Olympic Council of Malaysia.
Nazifuddin said the causeway neighbour, in light of Victoria, Australia’s withdrawal, was seriously considering an offer from the Commonwealth Games Federation.
However, the decision on whether Malaysia will act as the sole host or co-host with Singapore will hinge on the proposal presented by the Youth and Sports Ministry in a cabinet meeting on Friday.
If both countries agree to co-host, it would be the first time in Commonwealth Games history since 1930 that two countries would be jointly hosting the event.
“Singapore is considering (hosting the Commonwealth Games), they also think they have the opportunity to be the host.
“There is a possibility that we can collaborate with Singapore, but there is also a possibility that Singapore may decide to take over as the sole host and we might miss this opportunity,” said Nazifuddin.
In addressing concerns about hosting the event again having last done so 28 years ago, Nazifuddin assured that the 2026 edition would adopt a scaled-down approach, serving as a pioneering model for future editions.
This approach includes forgoing the construction of a sports village and reducing the number of sports being contested to approximately 10.
“We will look at the essential sports to be contested.
“The costs for this hosting cannot be compared to Victoria or when we hosted in 1998, the model has changed.
“Malaysia is looking at a sustainable model that can be used for future Commonwealth Games, without building a new games village.
“We will use the model from the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, using existing hotels as the games village and existing facilities. In other words, we will use the budget for the 2027 SEA Games to host this Commonwealth Games,” he added. – March 18, 2024