KUALA LUMPUR: Sports analyst Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli does not doubt Malaysia's ability to successfully host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
However, he highlighted that the timing of the event is not ideal.
Pekan said Malaysia has the experience and capability to pull off the event though the current economic situation places decision-makers in a tricky situation.
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 the costs which are expected to increase to A$7 billion from the original A$2.6 billion.
"I do not doubt our ability to host the event because we have hosted a number of multi-sport games successfully before," said Pekan when contacted today.
"Although there is expected to be an (budget) allocation from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), I am sure there are hidden costs which we have to bear. It will not be cheap.
"With the current inflation rate and the struggles faced by the people, it does not really seem like a suitable time to host it.
"When Victoria withdrew as hosts, I believe they also took this into consideration."
Pekan added that the relatively short amount of time before the event will not allow Malaysia to comprehensively prepare its athletes or boost public support for the games as it did at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur games.
"We spent at least five or six years preparing our athletes through the Jaya 98 programme. We will not be able to do the same this time," said Pekan.
"The 1998 Kuala Lumpur games united the Malaysian public and people got into the spirit of the games. It became a joint responsibility.
"I do not think we can ignite the same kind of spirit this time as the timeframe is too narrow.
"I hope the cabinet will make the right decision."
Pekan said hosting the games would put Malaysia in good standing with the CGF.
"I believe they will be happy if Malaysia hosted the games," said Pekan.
Malaysia is one of only nine CGF countries that has experience hosting the games.