We should take up offer to host Commonwealth Games, says Norza

PETALING JAYA: Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria feels the Malaysian government should take up the offer to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

After Victoria pulled out as host of the games, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) offered Malaysia to replace Victoria.

Norza even revealed that the offer included significant financial investment of £100mil (RM602mil) to support the local delivery and legacy planning of the 2026 edition.

"CGA (Commonwealth Games Association) Malaysia and CGF have been in discussions regarding the opportunity for Malaysia to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

"The last time Malaysia hosted the Commonwealth Games was in 1998, thus CGA Malaysia is of the opinion that the Government of Malaysia should consider this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – and the associated support and financial investment - which will build on the success of Kuala Lumpur 1998 and put Malaysia back onto the world sporting map," he said.

"With the existing world-class facilities, Malaysia is well equipped to host an international event of Commonwealth magnitude involving 74 nations and territories.

"The hosting will involve minimal government spending and bring significant socio-economic benefits to the country.

"It will also elevate the standard of Malaysia sports much like the way it did in the aftermath of the 1998 Games.

"To this end, the CGF and CGA Malaysia have offered an attractive proposal to the government of Malaysia."