The Asian bloc, which includes the Philippines, has earned the right to host the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
The FIBA Central Board, on Saturday evening (Philippine time) has accepted the presentation made by group from the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio spoke on behalf of the Philippines during the Central Board meeting of the FIBA in Mies, Switzerland.
The three-country bid won over the Argentina-Uruguay bid after the host candidates made their final pitch at the FIBA World Headquarters.
This will be the first time that the FIBA World Cup will be played in multiple countries.
In the FIBA website, Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman Emeritus of the Samahang Basketball sa Pilipinas (SBP), who headed the Asian group’s bid, was quoted as saying “we are extremely happy that FIBA has decided to award the hosting right for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 to Philippines/Japan/Indonesia. The World Cup is an event that fans of basketball in these three countries are very proud of and hosting it will allow to spread the basketball fever across the three countries and the region."
The same website also quoted FIBA President Horacio Muratore : "Congratulations to Philippines/Japan/Indonesia as they will host a first-of-a-kind FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2023 when it is staged across multiple countries.
"We look forward to witnessing a FIBA Basketball World Cup Final played in a venue packed with more than 50,000 basketball-crazy fans in the Philippines, a country where basketball is a religion."
The Philippines banked on its social media campaign with the theme #PlayLouderIn2023. The Philippines-Japan-Indonesia bid centered on bringing the tournament to “the fastest growing region in the world.
Basketball officials from these countries talked of a combined population and reach of 500 million who are ready to embrace the sport of basketball. The 2023 World Cup is slated for Manila, Okinawa and Jakarta.
The group stages are set to be played in five venues. The Philippine Arena, with a seating capacity of 55,000, is the proposed venue of the finals.