World Cup 2023 host selection difficult, says hoops governing body
THE consortium among the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan got the nod to host the 2023 edition of the FIBA World Cup but not after a stiff challenge from the other group short-listed for hosting duties, the world basketball governing body had said.
In formal announcement made in Mies, Switzerland, on Saturday night (Manila time), the FIBA Central Board gave hosting rights to the consortium led by the Philippines over that between Argentina and Uruguay after hearing both groups’ presentation of bids.
FIBA said that both groups presented “exceptional quality” in their respective candidatures but eventually decided to go the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan’s way.
“Congratulations to Philippines/Japan/ Indonesia as they will host a first-of-a-kind FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2023 when it is staged across multiple countries,” said FIBA President Horacio Muratore following the announcement of the 2023 host winner which incidentally will mark the first time that the marquee international basketball event will have multiple hosts.
“This was a very difficult decision as both candidatures were of exceptional quality. We want to congratulate both bidders for their outstanding work. We are very pleased to see national federations team up and put together bids of the highest quality to host our World Cup,” added the high- ranking FIBA official.
As per the setup for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, the group phase will take place in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia with the final phase to follow here in Manila.
It is something that FIBA has very excited, especially the stretch in the Philippines where it expects the fans to throw their support behind the proceedings.
“We look forward to witnessing a FIBA Basketball World Cup Final played in a venue packed with more than 50,000 basketball crazy fans in the Philippines, a country where basketball is a religion,” said Mr. Muratore, referring to the Philippine Arena in Bulacan which is being eyed as one of the venues during the World Cup.
Despite losing in the race to host the 2023 World Cup, Argentina and Uruguay were given the opportunity by FIBA to adapt their candidature for the 2027 edition and present it to the Central Board.
HOSTING WELCOME
As expected, the granting of hosting duties to the country along with Indonesia and Japan was welcomed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, which led the consortium in its presentation, and other stakeholders.
“We did it! Philippines will host 2023 FIBA World Cup,” said SBP Chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan in his official Twitter account after their group succeeded in getting the hosting nod.
Mr. Pangilinan was among the first to speak in behalf of the consortium along with Budi Satrio Djiwandono of Indonesia and Okinawa City Mayor Sachio Kuwae.
SBP said it will soon start collaborating with the country’s fellow hosts so as to ensure the successful staging of the World Cup.
In the lead- up to the formal announcement of the World Cup hosts, SBP encouraged fans to make their sentiments known with the # PlayLouderIn2023 hashtag and thanked them afterwards for their support.
The Philippines bid for the 2019 World Cup but lost out to China in a tight race. —