KUALA LUMPUR: Sports analyst Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli said national sports associations (NSAs) and athletes should not feel hard done by the government's decision not to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
"The government seems to understand the pulse of the people, and it's the correct decision," said Pekan.
"The decision is based on the current situation of the country, and I don't see a need to debate the decision.
"I believe some NSAs and athletes would be disappointed. However, they, especially athletes, can still compete and win medals when the Commonwealth Games are hosted in other countries.
"We have to understand and accept that the decision is based on the needs of the country. The sports fraternity should not be frustrated. There are always other platforms for them to compete and win.
"We have to keep in mind that the decision is not due to other sentiments like anti-Commonwealth Games or anti-British monarchy. We are not hosting due to our situation, where the time is too short to prepare.
"We could host the Commonwealth Games when the country's economic situation is better and our athletes are better prepared in the future. Today's decision does not mean it's the end of us and the Games."
The Youth and Sports Ministry, in a statement today, said that the government felt that the Commonwealth Games Federation's (CGF) offer of £100 million (RM603 million) was insufficient to cover the costs of hosting the Games.
In response, the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) has accepted the government's decision not to host the Games.
OCM president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria said: "The council as the Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) of Malaysia expressed its gratitude to the federal government, particularly the Youth and Sports Ministry, for giving due consideration to the offer by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).
"After taking into account the financial implication and all aspects of the organisation of the Games, we wholeheartedly understand the government's decision to prioritise the needs of the people," said OCM in a statement today.