Why the Philippines should bid to host the 2023 World Cup of Basketball
Everyone's still on a high from Gilas Pilipinas' silver medal finish in the FIBA Asia Championship. But not only has our team delivered, but from what I can see, so have our organizers.
If you'll recall, Lebanon was supposed to host this event, but FIBA moved it to the Philippines because nearby Syria was, and still is, embroiled in a nasty civil war. It turned out to be an even better move since Lebanon was suspended by FIBA and their team forbidden from playing in the Asian championship.
Our country can take pride in how the event was run at such short notice. From what I know there were no really big hitches. Everything seemed to go smoothly. Even Metro Manila's notorious traffic was not a factor since the MMDA got on board and helped the team buses get to the stadium on time.
This is why I think it's time for the Philippines to take the logical next step: hosting the 2023 World Cup of Basketball, the tournament formerly known as The World Championship of Basketball.
The 2014 event takes place in Spain and will use the new nomenclature for the first time. The Spanish won over Italy and China in the final round of voting to claim the hosting rights. Madrid, Barcelona, Granada, Seville, Bilbao, and Las Palmas de Gran Canarias will host games.
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The World Cup after that is in 2019 and not 2018, supposedly to keep the event out of the same four-year cycle as the FIFA World Cup.
In 2019 France and Germany have reportedly submitted a joint bid, along with the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, and hoops-mad Lithuania), Russia, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela.
2019 may be too soon for us, but gunning for the 2023 tournament is perfect for the Philippines. It gives us ten years to spruce up infrastructure and stadia to make for a terrific event.
By then the MOA Arena will be a mature venue, and the INC's Bulacan stadium (The Philippine Arena) can also be utilized. For sure the venerable Araneta Coliseum will still be an option then. UST's Quadricentennial Pavilion, which can seat more than 5,000, can also be considered. Ditto for the Ynares Center in Rizal. The Cuneta Astrodome, Filoil Flying V Arena, and the Makati Coliseum can either be game venues or practice venues.
This is the great thing about a Philippine bid; there will be little or no need to build new stadia. If ever, only renovations will be needed. Perhaps there are more provincial venues either in the pipeline or already existing that can also host games.
According to FIBA President Yvan Mainini, the 2019 edition of the tournament, and presumably every edition after, will expand to 32 teams. That is good news for the Philippine team going forward.
In 2014 there will only be 24 teams and Gilas is probably going to get roughed up pretty badly in many games. In 2019 , with the eight extra squads, the field should be noticeably thinner, possibly meaning more winnable games for the hosts.
Plus with 32 teams, Asia's chances of getting a fourth slot for the World Cup improve. No more agonizing Bronze Medal match to see who goes and who gets left out in the cold. The Philippines could once again be a regular at the sport's biggest international stage.
The hosting can be a boon for the nation as well. Everyone saw how the 2010 FIFA World Cup put South Africa on the map. The nation gained prestige and credibility when the tournament went smoothly.
The FIBA World Cup will of course be a much smaller event than its Footballing counterpart, but nonetheless it will be beamed all over the world and followed by millions, and could give our nation a huge boost in terms of international exposure.
But the best reason for hosting the 2023 World Cup is this: we are a Hoops nation, and fans, players, coaches, and journalists will love it here. The enthusiasm and passion Pinoys have for Basketball is something unique in this world. That alone is enough to grant us the chance at hosting.
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It has been said that there are only three countries in the world apart from the USA where Basketball is more popular than Football. Those countries are Lebanon (maybe), Lithuania, and the Philippines.
In recent stagings the FIBA World Championships were hosted by Turkey, Japan, the USA, Greece, Canada, and Argentina. Only the USA is a bona fide Basketball-mad country. For sure many of those matches played there were contested in front of empty seats.
Even in 2002, when the Worlds took place in Indianapolis, USA, attendance was poor. Not even the presence of Indiana Pacer legend Reggie Miller in the home team was enough to get people in the arenas. According to Sports Illustrated's archives, attendance at the games through the penultimate day of play was only 6,033 per session, with each session usually featuring three games.
For sure, as long as ticket prices are reasonable, Pinoy fans will flock to the games, especially if there are NBA stars in the teams. And with the ever-increasing globalization of that league, that is bound to be the case in 2023.
If the games are spread out among different venues all over Metro Manila or maybe even the provinces, then good attendance, and a kick-ass atmosphere, will be ensured.
Therefore I call on our sports officials, the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas, the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippine Sports Commission, and of course Mr. Manny Pangilinan, whose efforts for Gilas and for Philippine sports in general are laudable, to start considering a hosting bid as early as now. It will be a lot of work and a lot of expense, but ultimately, I think it's worth it.
Imagine it. 30,000 fans in the Bulacan Philippine Arena. USA versus the Philippines. John Wall shadowing Kiefer Ravena. Kief fakes him and drives to the hoop. The crowd goes wild.
The FIBA World Cup trophy is named after the inventor of the game, Dr. James Naismith. Lets hope that that trophy is raised on Philippine soil ten years from now. I think the good doctor would approve.
Follow Bob on Twitter @bhobg33.
