Malaysia won’t boycott Glasgow Commonwealth despite potential medal losses

Hannah says Malaysia is committed to competing and that a boycott is unfair to athletes in sports like weightlifting and lawn bowls, who also have medal chances. — Scoop file pic, October 23, 2024


Malaysia won’t boycott Glasgow Commonwealth despite potential medal losses

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh emphasises fairness to athletes in remaining sports, despite the exclusion of badminton, diving, and squash



Adam Zamri
Updated 5 hours ago
23 October, 2024
3:29 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia will stand firm in participating in the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, despite early projections that the country could miss out on several potential medals due to the exclusion of key sports.

Badminton, diving, and squash – traditionally strong medal prospects for Malaysia – have been removed from the Games’ programme.

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said Malaysia remains committed to competing, explaining that a boycott would be unfair to athletes in other sports, such as weightlifting and lawn bowls, who also have strong medal chances.

“You can’t blame Glasgow for this, as they were awarded the hosting rights at the last minute. Based on their capabilities, these are the sports they can offer.

“We understand their situation because we were once offered the chance to host, and we had similar concerns.

“For instance, we have athletes in lawn bowls and weightlifting. Why should we boycott?” Hannah explained.

The decision to reduce the number of sports aims to ensure the sustainability of the Games, as hosting costs have significantly increased in recent years.

Early projections from the National Sports Council (NSC) suggest that Malaysia could lose out on at least 16 potential medals in Glasgow.

At the 2022 Birmingham Games, Malaysia secured seven gold medals, eight silver, and eight bronze, finishing 10th overall.

“We’ve invested heavily in preparing our athletes, so it only makes sense to send them to compete in the Commonwealth Games. It wouldn’t be fair (to boycott), as there are still sports being contested for our athletes,” Hannah added.

“We respect this, as it’s a privilege granted to the host. When we were offered the chance to host, the CGF informed us that we could choose the sports we wanted to include

“However, even with the grants provided, we estimated that it wouldn’t be financially viable, so we had to turn it down.”

Yesterday, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) announced Glasgow as the host, having last hosted it in 2014.

It is common for host nations to choose sports that favour their own athletes, with badminton and squash not being among Scotland’s strengths. The last time Scotland won a squash gold was in the 1998 Kuala Lumpur edition through Peter Nicol. As for badminton, their wait has been even longer, with the men’s doubles team of Billy Gilliland and Dan Travers securing their last gold in the 1986 Edinburgh edition.

Malaysia had been approached to host the 2026 Games but declined, citing financial, developmental, and welfare concerns.

Glasgow was ultimately selected by the CGF after other countries, including Malaysia, declined the opportunity.

Glasgow 2026 will feature 10 sports: athletics, artistic gymnastics, 3×3 basketball, boxing, bowls, judo, netball, swimming, track cycling, and weightlifting. Six para-sports will also be contested, including para-athletics, para-bowls, para-swimming, para-track cycling, para-powerlifting, and 3×3 wheelchair basketball. — October 23, 2024