KUALA LUMPUR: Former National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail believes Malaysia has to study the fine print before committing to taking over as the host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
He said contract requirements laid out by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) would play a big role in determining the cost of organising the event here.
The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) yesterday confirmed that Malaysia has been offered the job by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), which includes the promise of a £100 million (RM602 million) investment to support local delivery and legacy planning for the event.
"In terms of sports venue infrastructure, we already have everything we need to host the games," said Shapawi today.
"But we have to look at all the requirements laid out in the hosting contract by the CGF and understand what else we have to prepare.
"Besides sports venues, the other major cost involved in hosting multi-sport competitions is the games village.
"We have to see if this is a requirement or whether the athletes can be housed in hotels like we do for the Sea Games. This would be a much cheaper option.
"We also have to understand what the £100 million (RM602 million) investment comprises. Will it be all in cash or in other forms as well?"
Shapawi said he would prefer that Malaysia focus on hosting the Asian Games in the future.
"I think the Asian Games gives us a better perspective of where we stand in terms of sporting standards."
Original 2026 Commonwealth Games host Victoria, Australia, withdrew last year citing escalating costs, which is expected to reach up to A$7 billion (RM21.7 billion). It reportedly agreed to pay A$380 million (RM1.1 billion) to the CGF for breach of contract.
The Commonwealth Games is less competitive in certain sports compared with the Asian Games.
Both are quadrennial events and are held in the same calendar year. The 2026 Asian Games will be held in Nagoya, Japan.