Written by Amiril Muttakin Meketal
KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) — Malaysia has accepted an offer from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) to replace withdrawn Australia to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, recognizing the boldness and courage to take risks. It’s necessary.
Organizing the Commonwealth Games is expensive, but former National Sports Council (NSC) secretary-general Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz has pledged £100 million from the CGF to support plans to host the 2026 Games. (approximately RM601 million) will be invested, which will definitely ease the financial burden on the host country.
“If considered carefully, capital injections, especially from the CGF, do not come with significant risks. Always looking for the easy way out or being cautious in accepting challenges will not move us forward. Because any country can move forward only if it considers positive factors and is ready to take risks.
“Therefore, the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) needs to consider all aspects before preparing and submitting a working report to Cabinet for consideration and decision (to host the Commonwealth Games). “Yes,” he told Bernama today.
Dr Ramlan said Malaysia needs to carefully manage the funds provided by the CGF to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with a focus on improving existing competition venues, travel costs and benefits for officials and staff. He said there is.
He added that Malaysia would not have to spend much as participating countries would cover the cost of participation, including accommodation, food, flights and even the staff of the delegation.
“If we accept Australia’s offer to host the 2026 Games on behalf of Victoria, that will also be the case, as participating countries will pay the organizers, through their respective Olympic Councils, each athlete’s participation fee. “It will be taken into consideration,” he said. .
Dr Ramlan, who is also the former chief executive officer of the National Institute of Sports (ISN), said that with about two years left until the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Malaysia has a highly qualified workforce and a great sporting event. He said there was no need to worry about the quality of the event. He has experience hosting major sporting events in the past.
“I myself participated as a medical officer in the 2023 Hockey World Cup in India, the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games in China, and the 2023 Junior Hockey World Cup here.
“Everyone knows that there are a number of Malaysian personnel holding high-profile positions in international sports organizations.Therefore, there should be no problems with management, technical expertise and preparation of personnel,” he said. said.
Dr Ramlan added that the preparation of the athletes is also not an issue as they have undergone various programs such as the Podium Program and Road to Gold and have also participated in numerous international competitions.
He added that the situation was different when the country hosted the 1998 Commonwealth Games. This is because Malaysia had to build many sports venues and athletes had to start from scratch in sports such as lawn bowls and rhythmic gymnastics.
“…and now we’re in a world-class position in lawn bowls. The argument that it takes a similar five or six year period to prepare a player is no longer a strong counter-argument.” he said.
The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) today announced through a statement that discussions have been held with KBS regarding the possibility of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games, following a formal invitation by the CGF to OCM regarding the offer to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games. did.
OCM chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria said in a statement that the government must consider the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of hosting the Olympics and the financial support provided by the CGF to host the Games.
The positive decision will help Malaysia continue the legacy of successfully hosting the 1998 Commonwealth Games and earn its place among the world’s elite sporting nations.
On Saturday, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said the Cabinet would take a decision on whether Malaysia is interested in hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games venue became vacant after the state of Victoria decided not to host the event in July last year. The reason for this is the high cost of hosting the tournament, estimated to be between 2.6 billion Australian dollars (8.09 billion ringgit) and 7 Australian dollars. 1 billion ringgit (approximately 21.78 billion ringgit).
The Victorian government has reportedly agreed to pay A$380 million for breach of contract to hold the tournament from March 17 to 29, 2026.
— Bernama
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