(Eagle News) — China will host the 2019 FIBA World Cup for Basketball.
This was the announcement earlier this evening as China won over the Philippines in the bid to host the prestigious international basketball competition.
China has made a pitch making use of its vast experience in hosting international sporting events, having hosted the Summer Olympics in 2008 and being set to host the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship.
In its bid, China featured the use of eight different venues in eight different cities: Beijing, Nanjing, Suzhou, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan and Dongguan.
In its final pitch, the Philippines tried to tug at the emotions as the Filipino delegates Hollywood actor Lou Diamond Phillips, former Gilas-Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes, former national team captain Jimmy Alapag and eight-time world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao highlighted how the Philippines and the Filipinos love basketball.
The Philippines is eyeing four venues to host the games: the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, the Mall of Asia Arena, the Seaside City Arena in Cebu, and the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“The love (for) basketball by Filipinos is authentic, it’s something you cannot manufacture,” said Lou Diamond Philips, a noted Filipino-American actor.
Chot Reyes urged the FIBA Central Board to “bring basketball home…. Our home.”
After it was announced that China will host the FIBA Basketball World Cup, Philips said in a tweet: “Incredibly proud & honored to be a part of the Philippine delegation. We left our hearts on the court! Congrats to China.”
After that he tweeted: “And to the many Filipino fans, we felt your love. Keep the dream alive and keep making noise! You have been heard!”
China boasted of its experience in hosting international sports events and also highlighted its infrastructure and modern transportation.
FIBA President Horacio Muratore confirmed the decision when he pulled China’s name from an envelope during a presentation ceremony in the Japanese capital of Tokyo.
It follows swiftly on the heels of the decision of the IOC to award the 2022 winter Olympics to Beijing, which also hosted the 2008 summer games.
“Our aim is to host a fantastic and truly exceptional basketball World Cup in China,” said deputy vice mayor of Beijing, Zhang Jiandong.
“Thus contributing to the development of basketball in China and beyond. Basketball players around the world are welcome to come to China for the 2019 World Cup. Thank you again for your recognition and trust in China. Welcome to China.”
Retired NBA player Yao Ming was one of the Chinese delegates who made a pitch for China’s bid.
The other Chinese delegates are the Vice President of the Chinese Olympic Committee Gao Zhidan, and the Beijing Vice Mayor. While the Philippines is represented by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Manny V. Pangilinan, basketball coach Reyes, former basketball national team captain Alapag, Filipino-American actor Phillips, and boxing champion Pacquiao.
Chot Reyes said Yao Ming was even impressed with the Philippine presentation.
In a tweet before the FIBA announcement of winner, Reyes said: “So Yao Ming joins us, saying ‘your presentation was much better than ours.’ Seriously”
The 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup will be the 18th tournament of the FIBA Basketball World Cup for National men’s Basketball teams.
This event will reportedly mark a new era for the competition. Rescheduled from 2018 to 2019, this edition will be the first FIBA World Cup since 1967 that will not occur in the same year as the FIFA World Cup.
FIBA have increased the number of teams competing at the tournament – held once every four years – from 24 to 32, with China given an automatic berth as hosts.
The tournament will be the first time that Beijing has played host, while the Philippines had previously held three World Cups. (with a report from Reuters)
