The 64-year-old Malaysian led a CGF delegation on a three-day visit of the Gold Coast where they met with a number of key figures involved in the preparations for the 2018 Commonwealth Games including the Queensland Premier Campbell Newman, the Minister for the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey and the new Gold Coast 2018 chairman Nigel Chamier.

Newman's Government, which came into power in March, have said one of their key priorities is to reduce the state's debt – with Stuckey warning that spectator capacity at some venues will be reduced as part of a strong focus on keeping costs down.

Prince Imran announced that the CGF is happy if Gold Coast 2018 budgets are cut as long as the competition is still of a high standard.

"Everything is negotiable," said Prince Imran, who is also the President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia and an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member.

"We know exactly the pressures on Governments, on city councils and on Organising Committees.

"We will be receptive, in most cases, to look at solutions that are less costly.

"We're not looking at a Rolls-Royce type of Games if a Toyota-type will do.

"For instance, we try to put not such a high Olympic-style standard on some services.

"We also feel you do not have to have huge spectator areas and we are always trying to help host cities in not having white elephants, which is not productive at all.

"So if the Organising Committee comes up with proposals that will not impact the delivery of the Games, we will be very supportive."


Stuckey welcomed the comments from the CGF President, admitting that the Gold Coast must be realistic with the costs of staging the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

"I believe a lot of costs will be able to be trimmed back by sitting down with the Federation and being able to look at events specifically and venues to assess the genuine capacity need," she said.

The Minister for the Commonwealth Games also revealed she was happy to host the CGF President for the inspection visit after Prince Imran was elected as the organisation's new leader last November.

"I've been delighted to welcome Prince Imran and his colleagues back to the Gold Coast, this time in the role of Commonwealth Games Federation President," Minister Stuckey said.

"It was a pleasure to introduce the new Board to the Federation members and to share our collective vision and enthusiasm for this landmark international sporting event."

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