PH part of FIBA short list for Basketball World Cup hosting

Rappler.com

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

The basketball-mad nation is among 6 countries included in the shortlist of potential hosts for the 2019 World Cup edition

ONE STEP CLOSER. The Philippines is shortlisted by FIBA as potential hosts of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup. File Photo by FIBA.com

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is one step closer to its goal of hosting the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

The basketball-mad nation is among 6 countries included in the shortlist of potential hosts for the next edition of the world tournament. 

“China, Germany – alone or possibly as part of a joint candidacy with France – the Philippines, Qatar and Turkey are the 6 countries in the running to stage the 2019 and 2023 editions of the event,” FIBA announced via its official website.

Top patron of the national team and member of the FIBA Central Board Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) is spearheading the bid as part of helping the country solidify its place on the basketball world map.

A Philippine delegation – which reportedly includes Tourism Undersecretary Domingo Ramon Enerio III, PBA Chairman Pato Gregorio and Philippine basketball federation Executive Director Sonny Barrios – will partake in a workshop at FIBA headquarters in Switzerland from December 15 to 16.

The winner of the hosting bid will be announced in June 2015. According to the FIBA press release, the host of the 2023 edition may also be revealed then. 

The Philippines had a taste of hosting a FIBA-sanctioned event when it held the 2013 FIBA Asia Championships in Manila. MVP admitted he was warned by the world basketball federation that hosting the World Cup will be “10 times as big as the FIBA Asia hosting in 2013.”

(READ: MVP embraces challenge in FIBA World Cup hosting bid)

“It’s an infinitely more complex undertaking compared to FIBA Asia last year,” MVP said last month.

MVP is eyeing to have FIBA-approved venues outside of Manila as well, with the 4 minimum required venues. Cebu is one of those venues with the SM Arena set to rise in the coming years. — Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!