IT was a suggestion made in 1891 by an English clergyman, under the name of the Pan-Britannic-Pan-Anglican Contest and Festival event for competitors from across the British Empire. It harks back to the heyday of the British Empire.

The first Commonwealth Games, known initially as the British Empire Games, was held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930.

The modern Commonwealth was formed in 1949, after “British” was dropped from the name and allegiance to the Crown was removed.

Today, the organisers defended its relevance, arguing that it continues to thrive and embraces 72 nations that make up a quarter of the world’s land mass.

The Commonwealth Charter adopted in 2012 commits members to the values of democracy, gender equality, sustainable development and international peace and security.

In 1998, Kuala Lumpur was the first Asian country to play host. Durban was supposed to host the 2022 Games but couldn’t afford it.

Birmingham will likely be the last on a grand scale.

The host city for the 2026 Games was supposed to be selected at the 2019 Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) General Assembly but postponed to 2020.

The lack of interest and the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the announcement and Victoria was announced as the host in April 2022.

Hosting a major sporting event may give economic, social and cultural benefits. However, the costs can be prohibitive.

Advantages include raising the profile of the city/country, long-term investment, jobs and enthusiasm.

The flip side includes cost of buildings and infrastructure, short-term use, potential for negative publicity and security cost.

This Birmingham Games will cost the British government £594 million (RM3.23 billion) and the city of Birmingham will cover the remaining £200 million-odd of costs itself.

A section in the CGF website “Our Relevance” talks about the “unique connections and friendships”, the “transformative and connecting power of sport” and its enduring commitment to human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

Driven by its values of humanity, equality and destiny, it has a key role to play in an energised, engaged and active Commonwealth of Nations and Territories.

However, homosexuality is a criminal offence in half of the member countries.

Meanwhile, is the Commonwealth active in promoting its member countries or is it a pointless legacy of the British Empire?

There are no trade privileges, no defence and foreign policy coordination for its members. Forget about the colonial aggression and exploitation.

Commonwealth should be progressive and not culturally Anglocentric.

The very word and purpose of the “Commonwealth” was questioned.

Trade with the Commonwealth accounted for less than 9% of the UK’s total trade in 2020, about the same with Germany.

Many members are dictatorship or have poor human rights record.

Currently, Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state in only 14 of the countries and for many years, there have been active movements in Australia to become a republic.

The plan for the Commonwealth Games to be smaller, easier and less costly to host and to appeal to a younger audience plus other changes such as the introduction of e-sports shows acts of desperation.

It is becoming one of sport’s also-rans. Comedian John Oliver described it as an “off Broadway Olympics” and “the historic display of a once-mighty nation gathering together the countries it lost and finding a way to lose to them once more”.

Does winning many medals have a transformative effect on the infrastructure and economy of the host city?

We still have the Asian and Asean Games, apart from the Olympics, to develop sports.

Lastly, do we need to revisit the Commonwealth Charter adopted in 2012 and “Our Relevance” in the CGF website?

What say you… – August 3, 2022.

* Saleh Mohammed reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.