China makes history again, as the world’s most populous nation is announced as the FIBA World Cup 2019 host country.
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Among the Philippines 2019 delegation will be eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.
The Central Board vote saw 14 in favour of China’s bid, with seven backing that of Philippines.
It’s judgement day today as far as the Philippines’ bid to host the World Basketball Cup four years from now is concerned.
Retired NBA basketballer Yao Ming, who is one of the best known athletes in China, went to Tokyo to promote China’s bid. However, there can only be one host country for our event in 2019 and it will be China.
The two main cities proposed by rivals the Philippines are Manila, the country’s capital, and Cebu City.
Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Suzhou, Foshan, Wuhan, and Donguan will host games.
The group would work throughout the build-up and staging of the event, acting as a partner of the FIBA.
In a statement, Malacañang commended the Philippine delegation, headed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Tourism chief Ramon Jimenez, Sen.
Pangilinan has put together a high-powered cast that will make the last pitch in the country’s bid to bring the prestigious event in the country for the second time since 1978.
The decision will enable FIBA to build on a strong presence for the sport in China.
“We have two great nations fighting for this”, Baumann said.
Alapag likened their preparations to the training for a basketball game. The minimum bid for the hosting rights was 8 Million Euros of the equivalent of P460 Million. Everyday for one year, from the time it won the hosting the country’s name wass carried in all media outfit all over the world describing how efficient are its people in organizing event of such magnitude.
“We want Fiba to experience the passion that runs deep in every Filipinos”, said former long-time Gilas Pilipinas captain Jimmy Alapag during the Fiba World Cup bid delegation sendoff at Lighthouse Monday. Freddie Webb, who was on the last Philippine team to play at the Olympics in 1972, attended the presentations.
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“I’m excited to do this”, he said.
