THE audience reach of around 500 million people is something to consider.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan said this after the three-man FIBA Evaluation Commission met with officials of the SBP and government officials over the weekend.
The meeting was conducted after the Commissioner, headed by FIBA Central Board and Commission president Hamane Niang of Mali, inspected facilities which will be used should the Philippines win the bid to co-host the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
“The audience that it will reach is 500 million. The Philippines and Japan have more than 100 million. That’s important to FIBA,” said Pangilinan.
The FIBA Basketball World Cup is held every four years, with the Philippines, after a four-decade absence, competing in Seville, Spain in 2014.
The participation came as a result of Gilas Pilipinas’ silver-medal finish in the FIBA Asia Championship the year before at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Cup is the most prestigious international tournament in the sport of basketball.
It features the best 32 teams from 32 countries all over the world.
The 2023 tourney will also serve as the qualifying tournament for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
The Philippines, together with its partners Japan and Indonesia, is taking the lead in bidding to co-host the 2023 World Cup.
If granted the rights, the Philippines will house competition for 16 of the 32 teams in the eliminations and be the host for the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.
The Evaluation Commission will be making its recommendation to the FIBA Central Board, and make their decision known on the bid winner in December.