The sports ministry of Malaysia has announced that the country has declined an offer to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
After the Australian state of Victoria withdrew as the host, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) extended an offer of £100m in supporting funds to Malaysia.
But Malaysia’s sports ministry said the offer “will not cover the overall cost of hosting a large-scale sports event”.
“Additionally, the economic impact could not be identified in this short timeframe,” it added.
Victoria’s withdrawal as host last July, prompted by escalating costs, has cast doubt on the future of the Games.
Birmingham, originally slated to host the 2026 edition, took on the role of hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games after the South African city of Durban lost hosting rights due to financial challenges and missed deadlines.
President of the Commonwealth Games Association of Malaysia, Mohamad Norza Zakaria, had previously stated that hosting in 2026 presented a “once in a lifetime opportunity to build on the success of 1998” – the country’s only prior hosting of the Games.
However, Malaysia’s sports minister, Hannah Yeoh, suggested on Thursday that it might be preferable for the country not to host if public funds are required to stage the event.
Government spokesperson and communications minister, Fahmi Fadzil, remarked: “Given more time, we would certainly consider it, but due to the limited preparation time available, it is not feasible.”
“When we assessed the viability of hosting the Games, the length of time needed and the cost was seen to be particularly prohibitive.”
The government of Alberta, Canada has pulled its support for a bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games because of rising costs.
Alberta’s withdrawal means there are also currently no other firm bids to host the 2030 Games.
“The confidential process to determine a host is continuing with other interested Commonwealth Games Associations,” said a CGF spokesperson.