By Kristel Satumbaga
Manny Pangilinan (center) is shown with Japanese and Indonesian officials celebrating FIBA’s decision to award the hosting of the 2023 World Cup to the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. (File photo)
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) yesterday vowed to make the 2023 FIBA World Cup an affair to remember following the official announcement of tournament dates Monday night.
The global showpiece will be hosted by the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia – each one promising to pull all the stops to make the event a resounding success.
It will be scheduled on Aug. 25 to Sept. 10, 2023 and marks the first time in tournament history that it will be competed in more than one country.
The announcement brought some positive vibes in these trying times where the sporting world is on a standstill due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“This is certainly positive news, as it is something to look forward to amidst the situation that the entire world is facing right now,” SBP President Al Panlilio said in a statement.
Panlilio said they would do its best to make the co-hosting worth telling and retelling.
“Rest assured, your SBP officials will work hand in hand even with the limitations of the times to guarantee that our co-hosting of the tournament will be something that Filipino basketball fans will remember and will be proud of,” he said.
In a statement posted on its website, FIBA confirmed the tournament dates based upon the approval of FIBA’s Central Board following consultation with the host nations, as well as recommendation from FIBA’s Competitions Commission.
The Group Phase will be competed in the three host countries, with the Final Phase to be played in Manila.
The road to the 2023 World Cup officially began last February with the staging of the European pre-qualifiers where eight teams will advance to the European qualifiers.
The remaining pre-qualifiers are expected to take place late this year.
Thirty-two countries across the globe will compete in the World Cup, with qualifiers scheduled from November 2021 to February 2023. Eighty teams are battling for slots in the qualifying stage.
