KUALA LUMPUR – The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) faces another setback in the hunt for a new host after Singapore decided not to make a bid for the 2026 edition, following Malaysia’s move.
In a joint statement issued today, Commonwealth Games Singapore and Sport Singapore said they “have studied the feasibility of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games and have decided not to make any bid to host the Games”.
The search for a new host was triggered after the Australian state of Victoria pulled out, seeing that the costs ballooned to AU$7 billion from the estimated AU$2.6 billion.
Last month, Malaysia rejected the offer by the CGF to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after the cabinet noted that the CGF’s offer of £100 million (RM603 million) was deemed insufficient to cover the extensive costs associated with organising such a large-scale sporting event.
Malaysia had hosted the Games in 1998, which were said to incur losses of RM11.6 million and accounts could only be closed 13 years later due to suits over non-payments.
The £100 million by CGF was decided at its general assembly in November 2023 as “financial and strategic support” for the next host.
Last month, Singapore said it was “assessing the feasibility of the invite” to host the 2026 Games.
Previously, Scoop reported that Olympic Council of Malaysia secretary-general Datuk Nazifuddin Najib floated the idea for Malaysia and Singapore to co-host the 2026 Games.
The last Games, which was held in Birmingham in 2022, saw the participation of more than 5,000 athletes from 72 nations and territories competing in 280 events in 20 sports. – April 3, 2024