GENEVA – The Philippine-led consortium with Japan and Indonesia was awarded the hosting rights for the 2023 FIBA World Cup in a historic decision reached yesterday by the FIBA Central Board that also announced the other finalist, the tandem of Argentina and Uruguay, will stage the 2027 edition.
It was a win-win situation for FIBA as in the end, both finalists gained hosting rights to successive World Cups so there were no losers in the closely-fought bidding war. Argentina and Uruguay anchored their campaign on the slogan “All The Powers of Nature – Two Countries, One Passion” while the consortium built its case on the principles of simplicity, diversity and intensity with the call to “Play It Louder Than Ever” in 2023.
SBP Chairman Emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan said he was both relieved and heart-warmed when the decision was announced, having worked hard to leave a lasting legacy to Philippine basketball starting with a failed bid to host the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
This was his final attempt to win the bid.
“World basketball is coming home to the Philippines,” said Pangilinan who could not overemphasize how happy he is for the millions of basketball-crazy Filipinos. “This is a proud moment for every Filipino. Staging the World Cup with 32 competing teams is a huge honor for our country. Our deep love for basketball, our passion for the sport is unequaled anywhere in the world. Basketball flows through our blood, pulses through our veins and animates our hearts. Basketball is what defines us, it is what unites us. We will play louder than ever.”
SBP President Al Panlilio vowed to break attendance record with the 55,000-seat Philippine Arena earmarked for the final. The record for attendance in the World Cup is 35,000 for the 1954 World Cup final between the US and Brazil at Rio de Janeiro. “We will pack our stadiums,” he said. “FIBA will be the winner as will basketball.”
A one-minute video produced by ESPN in New York introduced the consortium’s 20-minute presentation at the FIBA headquarters in Mies, a village near here, yesterday morning. Then, Pangilinan delivered a keynote address before turning the floor over to Indonesia’s member of the House of Representatives Budi Satrio Djiwandono who promised to provide FIBA with everything it needs to ensure the staging in Jakarta will be a huge success.
Japan Basketball Association Deputy Secretary-General Mitsuhiro Hirota spoke next and read a message from Okinawa City Mayor Sachio Kuwae who could not attend due to pressing matters back home. Kuwae said a 10,000-seat, state-of-the-art basketball stadium will be inaugurated in March 2021 and will host the first two rounds of competition in the group level.
Deputy Speaker Rep. Pia Cayetano then assured the FIBA Central Board that the government is ready to undertake an ambitious infrastructure program in time for the World Cup. She mentioned an investment of $1.6 Billion on growth-enhancing infrastructure and transport projects. “It is time for the world to recognize the Philippine and to experience Filipino hospitality, see our unique brand of basketball and the passion that we give to it,” she said.
Indonesian Basketball Association chairman, SEABA president and FIBA Central Board member Erick Thohir said “with streamlined logistics, state-of-the-art stadiums and quality preparations, this World Cup has been designed with the athlete in mind,” he said. “As the world’s fourth most populous country with more than 260 million people, it’s an important time for Indonesia to realize the potential and exciting future for the development of basketball.”
Japan Basketball Association president and FIBA Central Board member Yuko Mitsuya thanked FIBA for the opportunity “to stage its most significant tournament in one of the world’s most significant markets – a powerhouse economy, a massive commercial opportunity and a nation that loves basketball and big sporting events.”
Sonny Barrios, executive director of SBP, said "Mr. MVP was happy more for the Filipino people than for himself. He pulled out all stops to win the bid for the country and his countrymen. Now the hard work begins more so since Mr. MVP wants it to be the most successful Basketball World Cup ever."