The Commonwealth Games is facing a hosting hurdle for the 2026 edition after Malaysia recently declined the request on them to host the competition.
The original host city was Australia’s Victoria but withdrew due to rising costs.
The chance was passed on to Malaysia to step in and host but they have declined the offer citing similar concerns to Victoria’s, short notice and the need to attend to pressing issues in their country.
Malaysia’s Minister of Sports, Hannah Yeoh, said: “The government wants to focus on the development of sports as well as the welfare and well-being of our people, and we currently have bread-and-butter issues to think about first.”
Reuters and AFP reports that the Commonwealth Games Federation offered 🇲🇾 Malaysia £100 million ($126.21m) in supporting funds to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games but still refused to accept the offer.
This leaves the prestigious multi-sport event in limbo.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is now in a bit of a bind. With less than two years to go, they’re actively searching for a nation willing and able to host the event.
The Commonwealth Games is an international sporting event for athletes from across the former British Empire.
With Ghana a member of the Commonwealth, could the nation, fresh off a successful hosting of the 13th African Games, be a potential contender to step in?