FIBA World Cup abuzz with pre-tourney activities

EXCITEMENT is in the air as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and its World Cup Organizing Committee have arranged a roster of activities for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, beginning with the official draw on April 29 at the Araneta Coliseum.

All 32 participating countries will get to know their opposing teams and groupings in the draw, which will sort the qualified teams into eight groups of four teams each.

The FIBA Local Organizing Committee, represented by Erika Dy, presented the activities during the Swing For All fun golf organized by Smarts Sports, headed by Jude Turcuato on Thursday at the Orchard Golf in Cavite. The golfest also launched a fund-raising activity for the Volunteer Program.

The lineup of events leading to the historic World Cup also includes FIBA Manila Street Festival, 100-Day Countdown and Individual Game Ticket Launch in May; Launch of PH Basketball Hall of Fame, Test Tournament, and City Look and Feel Dressing in June; and City Dressing, Clinic, and World Congress and the actual games in August.

Host countries Philippines, Japan and Indonesia will hold the draw in the presence of NBA legends and FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Global Ambassador, Luis Scola and FIBA Players’ Commission chair Dirk Nowitzki.

International celebrities Saweetie, Sarah Geronimo, and Billy Crawford, beauty queen Catriona Gray and former Gilas player and Ginebra’s LA Tenorio will spice up the event held in partnership with Wanda.

Representing Japan is Takehiko Orimo, a legend in Japanese basketball and who played in two previous World Cups, including in 2006 when the competition was last hosted in Japan.

Raffi Ahman, a popular actor, presenter, and singer, represents Indonesia.

The Draw Festival will include the launch of the official FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Molten Official Game Ball as well as the introduction of the Official Licensing collections via a fashion show.