The hosting of the 2026 Commonwealth Games is up for grabs after Victoria, Australia, which had initially been awarded the host job, backed off due to financial constraints.
Subsequently, there is talk that Malaysia has been offered to host the Games. With just two years to the Commonwealth Games in 2026, Malaysia has to think very carefully before accepting the offer.
Though our country hosted the Games in 1998, and with its proven track record of organising international meets, it would be taking a huge risk to venture into it at present.
The RM602 million payout upfront is too small as an incentive. That is because the cost of organising these mammoth games might go into billions of ringgit.
The 1998 Games in Kuala Lumpur was a success story as far as the organization was concerned. But, if I am not mistaken, the Games were a substantial loss financially.
Thus, with the nation grappling with current economic challenges, it doesn't seem logical for us to become the host.
The high cost plus the short period of time available, will only further create an even bigger hole in the nation's pocket.
Instead of spending billions of money undertaking these Games, a better option would be to pump these billions of ringgit into building hospitals, for example in Seremban and Klang.
Think about this - Victoria decided to withdraw due to the high cost of organising the games, estimated to be around A$2.6 billion (RM8.09 billion) to A$7 billion (about RM21.78 billion).
Surely there are better things we can spend on with that kind of money.
THIAGARAJAN MATHIAPARANAM
Klang, Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
