KUALA LUMPUR: The possibility of Malaysia hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2026 has drawn mixed reactions from national sports associations (NSAs).
The Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF), whose lifters have been consistent contributors to the nation's gold medal haul in recent editions of the competition, is keen to see the quadrennial games being held here.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh yesterday said the cabinet will soon decide whether Malaysia will declare an interest in organising the 2026 games.
The games was supposed to be held in Victoria, Australia but they pulled out last year due to escalating costs.
MWF honorary secretary Wan Muhammad Hafiz Wan Izanatar said Malaysian lifters are poised to perform well in 2026.
Aniq Kasdan, Aznil Bidin and Erry Hidayat won medals at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022.
"Ultimately it is up to the government to decide but we are definitely looking forward to having the games here," said Hafiz today.
"We can even hold the qualifiers for the games before the actual competition. This would allow us to fine tune our preparations to host the games.
"We have some quality lifters at the moment and if the games are held here we will do our best to better the two gold (Aniq, Aznil) we managed to win in Birmingham."
Malaysia Aquatics (MAS) secretary-general Andy Low is concerned the high costs involved in organising the games could anger the public.
"Of course we would like it to be held here and we will give our full support to make it a success.
"The costs to hold the games, however, will not be low and the public may get angry if our (contingent) medal haul is not impressive.
"At the moment we are still depending on the same athletes (to deliver medals), perhaps it is time to revamp our programmes."
Malaysia Rugby (MR) honorary secretary Fahmy Jalil said hosting the games will give Malaysian rugby players the chance to lock horns with some of the biggest names in the sport on home soil.
"I was in Form Three when we last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1998 and I can still remember watching the final between Fiji and New Zealand," said Fahmy.
"Today, about 75 per cent of the teams competing in the World Sevens Series also compete in the Commonwealth Games, so it would be a great opportunity for our boys to play them on home soil.
"It would also be good for our officials to learn and experience hosting a tournament of this scale as most of those (Malaysians) who organised the rugby event in 1998 have passed away."
Rugby, a sport with English origins, is popular in Commonwealth countries.
KW: Sports, Commonwealth Games 2026