KUCHING: The state government has agreed to abide with the federal government’s decision to decline the bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Malaysia has rejected the offer due to insufficient funds to organise such a prestigious international event which requires a large amount of funds.
He said the RM603 million grant offered by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) was not enough to fund the large-scale sports event.
“The decision of the Cabinet to organize the Commonwealth Games was due to funding because to organise such a large-scale sporting event.
“The cost is quite high, the grant that the main organizer wants to give is not enough, maybe only a small part to cover the cost. We agree with the decision,” he said.
Abdul Karim told reporters when attending the closing of IOC-OS-Sports Administrators Course (SAC) Sports Leaders of National and State Sport Associations at Sarawak Centre of Performance Excellence last night (Mar 23).
Earlier this week, Abdul Karim welcomed sporting events to be held in Sarawak should the Commonwealth Games be held in Malaysia. However, as a result of a Cabinet meeting held recently, Federal Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has come out announcing that the government will not be hosting the Games in 2026.
Meanwhile, he said that the Sarawak Government is interested in welcoming sporting events to be held in the state when the 2027 Sea Games are held in Malaysia.
He said SUKMA Sarawak, which will be held in August this year will be the state’s benchmark for organising future international sports.
“I believe we are ready, because SUKMA this year will be the benchmark to see how competent our sport (management and facilities) are.
“By then when the Sea Games is held, I am confident the cycling velodrome would already be ready to be used,” he said.
