KUALA LUMPUR: The national contingent could struggle to win medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games as the new host, Glasgow, has only included 10 sports in what will be a scaled-down games.
More than 10 disciplines have been dropped from the programme which includes sports Malaysia has excelled at in previous editions of the games.
Badminton, diving, squash, rhythmic gymnastics, table tennis are all casualties. Combined, Malaysia won 15 medals in these sports - four of them gold - at the 2022 Birmingham games.
Field hockey, rugby sevens, road cycling, mountain biking, triathlon, beach volleyball and wrestling have also been axed.
Weightlifting, para powerlifting, lawn bowls, judo and track cycling, which Malaysia won eight medals (three gold) from in Birmingham, remain in the programme.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) issued a statement today confirming Glasgow as the host of the 2026 games.
"The 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games will take place in Scotland from July 23 to August 2, 2026, returning to the city 12 years after the hugely successful 2014 Commonwealth Games," said the statement.
"Glasgow 2026 will feature a 10-sport programme concentrated across four venues within an eight-mile corridor.
"The sports programme will include athletics and para athletics, swimming and para swimming, artistic gymnastics, track cycling and para track cycling, netball, weightlifting and para powerlifting, boxing, judo, bowls and para bowls as well as 3x3 Basketball and 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball."
Victoria, Australia was originally selected as the host for the 2026 games though withdrew last year citing escalating costs.
A number of other countries, including Malaysia, were approached to step in to replace Victoria, however, declined before Glasgow finally saved the games.