PETALING JAYA: Malaysia have been offered the hosting rights for the Men’s Triples and Precision Shooting Petanque World Championships next year.
Malaysian Boules Sports Federation (MBSF) acting president Cheah Ban Cheng said they had been offered the job to stage the 2026 edition, tentatively scheduled for end-September, with a decision to be finalised after consultation with the Youth and Sports Ministry.
"It's an incredible honour as Malaysia has never hosted a World Championship before.
"The World Championships bring together the best teams from five continents, based on world rankings from the previous edition. For Asia, only six countries qualify, so it’s truly the sport's elite level," he said during the opening ceremony of the Asian Championships in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
He added that Malaysia's readiness to host was strengthened by their world class facilities and proven experience in staging international meets.
"We already have the infrastructure and are ready anytime. The Arena Petanque KL, developed with DBKL's support, is among the finest in Asia. Having such a facility right in the heart of the capital city is something few countries can boast."
The proposed hosting would align perfectly with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and MBSF plans to engage both the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Tourism Ministry for support.
It is estimated to cost RM1.3 million to host the world meet as the organisers are required to cover accommodation and meals for all participating teams.
