KUALA LUMPUR: The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) have accepted Glasgow's decision to host a scaled-down 2026 Commonwealth Games and believe it could become the norm in the future.
Glasgow, who have stepped in as hosts for the 2026 games, have only included 10 sports for the games, a move which substantially diminishes Malaysia's medal hopes.
Over 10 disciplines have been axed with badminton, diving, squash, rhythmic gymnastics, table tennis all being casualties. Combined, Malaysia won 15 medals in these sports - four of them gold - at the 2022 Birmingham games.
OCM secretary-general Datuk Nazifuddin Najib said the move was inevitable considering the time frame and limited resources.
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.
"The focus is to create a games that could be delivered to the highest quality in a financially sustainable way," said Nazifuddin in a statement issued by OCM today (Oct 22).
"In moving forward, there was a need to prioritise what matters most to athletes and sports.
"We therefore accept the fact Glasgow 2026 will be lighter and leaner than previous games, at the expense of sports we are strong in such as badminton, diving, hockey and squash.
"OCM shall discuss the strategies needed to confront these issues with the relevant stakeholders, including the National Sports Council (NSC), the National Sports Institute (NSI) and the national sports associations (NSAs)."
The sports which will be contested in Glasgow are 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.
Nazifuddin added that holding the games on a smaller scale could allow more countries to host it in the future.
"In doing so, it will increase the scope of countries capable of hosting," he said.
"The 2026 Games will be an opportunity to set out a new blueprint for the future of sustainable, accessible Commonwealth sport."
It is a move which is seen as crucial to ensure the games' survival.
The Commonwealth Games has suffered a decline in popularity in recent years and many countries are unwilling to host the event due to the huge costs involved.
The Birmingham City Council declared itself bankrupt just a year after hosting the competition in 2022.