PETALING JAYA: We respect the decision.

That was the consensus of the majority in the Malaysian sports fraternity after the government announced that they have declined the offer to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The decision has been conveyed to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF). They were willing to give RM603mil subsidy for Malaysia to organise it after the original hosts Australia pulled out due to escalating costs.

The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria and secretary general Datuk Nazifuddin Najib had believed that hosting it would be beneficial to sports development and also the economy.

But Norza has come out and said that he respected the decision made by the Malaysian Cabinet.

“OCM wish to express our gratitude to the Malaysian government, particularly the Youth and Sports Ministry for giving due consideration to the offer made by CGF,” said Norza.

“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.”

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said the government decided after examining all aspects of the organisation and its implications.