KL capable of hosting 2026 Commonwealth Games – Tunku Imran

GOLD COAST: Kuala Lumpur is capable of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games but it would depend on whether there is a political will to organise it again, said Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Jaafar.

He said that with the 14th general election coming up next month, the new government would decide whether to bid for it or not.

“With G14 around the corner, it will depend very much on whether the incoming government would be keen to bid for it. We can assist them and put forward a very commendable bid.

“But the good thing is that the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) are now trying to get away from a straight bid process as it is an expensive affair. They prefer negotiations and, at the same time, take into consideration the credentials of potential hosts,” he told reporters at a media conference on the Malaysian contingent’s achievements Thursday.

Tunku Imran noted that from the angle of the local sports fraternity, Malaysia had the appetite to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

“Durban withdrew from hosting the 2022 edition following its failure to meet the financial deadlines. At the end of the day, it is not whether we are capable of doing it ... it is whether we have the will of hosting it again,” he said.

Kuala Lumpur hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1998.