OCM insist they can host 2026 C’wealth Games without bursting budget

PETALING JAYA: We don’t have to break the bank.

Olympics Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary-general Datuk Nazifuddin Najib believes Malaysia can host the Commonwealth Games in 2026 without bursting their budget if they follow the right strategy.

They may even explore option of co-hosting with Singapore and use the model of organising the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Nazifuddin said the rakyat need not worry about the extra cost as they will be able to manage with the grant of about Rm600mil from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and minimise the cost as how they did when they hosted the recent SEA Games.

Stressing that it would be a chance of a life time, Nazifuddin assured it would be sustainable.

“It’s a golden chance for us because we will have the grant. We can’t compare it with the budget planned for Victoria and even the 1998 Commonwealth Games. The model has changed,” said Nazifuddin.

“CGF want to make the Games more sustainable and we will use that module for future games. We are not going to build a Games Village – that’s one of the reasons why the cost for Victoria ballooned. We will follow the 2027 SEA Games method where we used hotels and other facilities instead of building new infrastructure. Instead of building, we will refurbish the facilities that are already there.

“Many of our youngsters have not felt the spirit of the Commonwealth Games, they have only felt the SEA Games vibe in 2017. The 1998 Games edition had a good spillover effect in terms of sports.”

The decision to host the Games is now in the hands of the government with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirming that a decision would be made next week.

Nazifuddin said OCM together with other sports stakeholders have given a planning paper on hosting the Games to Youth and Sports minister Hannah Yeoh, who will table it during the cabinet meeting tomorrow in Putrajaya.

He said he was aware of the concerns raised by the public and saying that hosting the Games would cost taxpayers money. Some have even asked inquired on the accounts for the 1998 Commonwealth Games and 2017 SEA Games but Naziffuddin believes that under the current leadership, there would be transparency.

“I am sure the Games would have a positive impact on the economy. Under the leadership of the current minister, I’m sure there would be transparency. I believe things can be managed,” he said.

“If we do not have major Games like the Commonwealth, we will not push ourselves to develop sports further. We believe organising these Games would inspire new athletes to turn up.

“Look at Singapore. They got the exclusive right to Taylor Swift’s concert for a few million and had a huge return.

“I cannot guarantee what the return on investment (ROI) would be for the Commonwealth Games, but I am sure that there would be a spillover effect and we will work on a balanced budget.

“It’s nothing like having the Games in your own country. It would be a great opportunity for Malaysia.”