PHILIPPINE representatives together with counterparts from Japan and Indonesia will go to China to observe the 2019 Basketball World Cup before preparations go full blast for the three nations’ co-hosting of the 2023 showpiece.
The 2019 Fiba Basketball World Cup in China is set from Aug. 31 to Sept. 15.
“After that, tayo naman. Magiging very active na ‘yung tatlong bayan. We don’t want to steal the thunder or the attention from China. Tahimik lang muna, behind the scenes muna. More on organizational ‘yung pinaguusapan ng bawat bayan,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Renauld ‘Sonny’ Barrios.
Japan and Indonesia have submitted to world governing body Fiba the names of their event directors, while the Philippines has yet to designate a person for the job.
SBP officials led by special assistant to the president Ryan Gregorio and Cito Martelino, along with Indonesian and Japanese officials, met with Fiba brass in Jakarta recently to discuss the 2023 event.
“Tinawag ng Fiba ‘yung workshop for an update and status report,” Barrios said. “Hinihingi na ng Fiba sa tatlong bayan kung sino sino ‘yung mga key officers ng LOC (local organizing committee) ng bawat bayan.”
“Ang pinakamataas in terms of preparation, ‘yung tinatawag nilang event director. Sa ngayon, wala pa tayong nane-name. Ang Japan at Indonesia, meron na,” said Barrios.
The Philippines will host 16 of the 32 teams that will make it to the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup.
Indonesia and Japan will host eight teams each for the group stage.
The Philippines will also host all the playoff matches including the championship game.
“Mag-oobserve tayo kasama ‘yung mga partners from Indonesia and Japan, kung paano ginagawa ng China ‘yung hosting. Mabigat ‘yung sa China. They will host the teams in eight cities. It’s not a joke,” said Barrios.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
