HAMBURG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the decision on whether Malaysia will take on the role of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games could be finalised next week.
He said he was in the midst of gathering the necessary information on the issue from Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, sports councils and other relevant bodies.
"We have to look at it as a whole before we make any decision.
"Today is the cabinet meeting. I will ask them to discuss it and we may finalise it by next week. We cannot delay this decision," he told the Malaysian media at the end of his six-day official visit to Germany today.
Anwar however noted that sports cannot be viewed purely in terms of economic interest and investment.
"We also have to give room, opportunity and encouragement for our athletes to compete," he said.
He said there is also a need to look at the Commonwealth Games in terms of its significance and how much needs to be spent.
"Although the Commonwealth itself provides hundreds of millions (in funding) but if we, at the same time, have to spend billions of ringgit in addition, our capabilities may be hampered.
"We will discuss this openly. We will take into account all views before finalising the decision," he said.
The fate of the 2026 Commonwealth Games is now in limbo after Victoria, Australia, pulled out from hosting it last year due to increased hosting costs from the initial AUD2.6 billion (about RM8.09 billion) to AUD7 billion (approximately RM21.78 billion).
Yeoh last week said her ministry is preparing a cabinet paper on the issue.