Imran: We’re capable of hosting 2026 Commonwealth Games

Olympic Council of Malaysia chief Tunku Imran says the incoming government will have to decide if the country should submit a bid.

GOLD COAST: Malaysia is capable of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games but it would depend on whether there is a political will to organise it again, said Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Imran Tuanku Jaafar.

He said with a general election coming up next month, it was up to the new government to decide whether to bid for it or not.

“But the good thing is that the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) are now trying to get away from a straight bid process as it is an expensive affair. They prefer negotiations and, at the same time, take into consideration the credentials of potential hosts,” he said at a media conference on the Malaysian contingent’s achievements.

Tunku Imran noted that the local sports fraternity had the appetite to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

“Durban withdrew from hosting the 2022 edition following its failure to meet the financial deadlines. At the end of the day, it is not whether we are capable of doing it. It is whether we have the will of hosting it again,” he said.

Kuala Lumpur hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1998. - FMT