OFFICIALS of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) are leaving no stone unturned in coming up with a presentation before top honchos of the world’s governing body for basketball in the country’s bid to host the 2019 Fiba World Cup.
According to SBP executive director Sonny Barrios, the final audio-visual presentation, set on June 18 in Fiba’s official headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, will last for 20 minutes, followed by a separate question-and-answer portion.
China, the Philippines' only remaining rival for the hosting rights, will make its own presentation during the gathering.
“May kanya-kanyang way of presenting the audio-visual. But we will do the presentation in the presence of China. So makikita ng China yung presentation natin, makikita din natin ang presentation nila. In other words, magkakakitaan na tayo dun,” Barrios told Spin.ph on Friday.
The SBP executive bared Fiba secretary general Patrick Baumann was in Manila for a brief visit last Tuesday to explain to the country’s top basketball officials the mechanics for the presentation.
Baumann left Manila the following day and proceeded to China.
The Philippines and China are the last two countries in the hunt for the hosting rights for the 2019 Fiba World Cup. Germany, France and Turkey were declared out of the picture since last March.
Barrios said Filipino basketball fans can actually watch the SBP’s formal presentation in Geneva on June 18 since Fiba will provide a live stream for the 20-minute presentations via its official website.
“We will be in the same hall at the same time with China. Now it’s how we will present our bid to make it more attractive ‘ika nga. It’s really more of a creative endeavor kaya naghahanda tayo,” he added.
Barrios said the Philippines has already submitted a 219-page final bid document on April 30 in compliance with the Fiba’s requirements.
“We already submitted the whole document. Isang folder yun na 219 ages so nandun na lahat ng requirements saka yung reply natin sa kanilang (Fiba) guidelines. Hindi yun basta inimbento,” he said.
“Napakarami nilang tanong kasi parang may mga questionnaires sila na sasagutin natin.”
The Philippines last hosted the Fiba World Cup in 1978 with the Smart Araneta Coliseum as the lone venue played by 16 nations.
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