Gov’t support key to Philippines World Cup bid

MANILA, Philippines - PLDT chairman/SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan said the other day government support is critical in firming up the Philippines’ bid to host the 2019 FIBA World Cup and expressed optimism that the entire country will back the initiative not only because of the Filipinos’ love for the game but also because of the positive impact on the economy, particularly in tourism.

There are six countries bidding for the hosting rights – the Philippines, China, Turkey, Qatar and jointly, Germany and France. Qatar, however, has indicated interest to host the 2023 edition instead. Germany and France are co-hosting 48 of 78 games at the FIBA EuroBasket Championships this year. Two other countries Latvia and Croatia are co-hosting the other 30 contests. The last two FIBA World Cups were held in Europe, Turkey in 2010 and Spain last year, so the choice to host the 2019 tournament may go to Asia.

The budget to stage the 2019 FIBA World Cup in the Philippines could hit between P1.5 to 2 Billion. The minimum bid is 8 Million Euros or the equivalent of about P400 Million. If the FIBA Asia revenue formula is applied to the 2019 FIBA World Cup, ticket and merchandise sales are exclusively for the account of the Philippines.

Maynilad president/SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas said signs are clear that government will support the bid. The other night, Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario hosted a dinner at the Marble Hall of the Bureau of the Treasury building in Intramuros with FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann and the FIBA evaluation committee made up of chairman Lubomir Kotleba, FIBA director general of media and marketing services Frank Leenders and FIBA director of events Predrag Bogosavljev as guests.

The sit-down dinner, prepared by Diamond Hotel executive chef Marko Rankel, was attended by Senate President Franklin Drilon, House of Representatives Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Sen. Grace Po, Sen. Cynthia Villar, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, PAGCOR CEO Cristino Naguiat, PAGCOR director Lito Tanjuatco, DOT Undersecretary Ma. Victoria Jasmin, Deputy Executive Secretary Teofilo Pilandro, SBP executive director Sonny Barrios, Maynilad senior vice president/PBA chairman Patrick Gregorio, Meralco senior vice president/MVP Sports Foundation president Al Panlilio, Vargas and Pangilinan.

“It was a wonderful atmosphere,” said Vargas. “Secretary del Rosario pulled out all the stops in making the dinner a memorable occasion. I think we overwhelmed our guests with our warmth, hospitality and passion. From Day One of their visit, our common theme has been basketball is different in the Philippines, it’s our life.”

There were 10 waiters assigned to the 20 guests. Master violinist Jay Cayuca provided the music.

Last Monday, the House of Representatives adopted Resolution No. 167, co-authored by Rep. Robbie Puno and Rep. Yeng Guiao, supporting the bid to host the 2019 FIBA World Cup and “enjoining the government to extend its full assistance and support for the successful hosting and conduct of this prestigious tournament.” A similar resolution has been filed in the Senate by Sen. Sonny Angara.

“The private sector, through our No. 1 sports patron and SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan, is making a strong push for our bid and has put in tons of effort and resources in order to make it to the shortlist,” the Resolution said. “We must show our unity as a people in pushing for this bid and extend all assistance necessary to ensure our successful campaign to host the next FIBA World Cup. Our successful bid will certainly bring honor and prestige to the country as well as allow us to reap the other benefits of hosting the event such as the revenue from tourism-related activities and the country’s promotion as an international destination.”

Cagayan de Oro City Mayor/SBP chairman Oscar Moreno said the staging of the FIBA World Cup in the Philippines will mark the “redefinition of the relationship between our country and sports.” He added that the “unprecedented renewed love of basketball on a country level is a reawakening and revival.”

Moreno said since the SBP’s formation in 2007, the Philippines has moved forward in regaining prominence as a contender in the regional and global stage. “Our love for basketball has never wavered,” he said. “For a while, our national basketball program was lost and in disarray. We were even suspended by FIBA because of our leadership squabbles. But we never forgot basketball. We are grateful to MVP for his leadership and vision, for creating the SBP and for putting us back on the right track. It is a phenomenon that even as we are not dominant in basketball, we love the sport like no other country.”

FIBA has set April 30 as the deadline of the submission of the final candidature files. The bidders will make their last presentations during the FIBA Central Board meeting in Geneva on June 18-19. The winning bid will be announced at the end of the meeting.

The Philippines was the first bidder to be visited by the FIBA evaluation committee. On-site inspection trips are scheduled up to next month. Mexico, Russia and a consortium led by Lithuania reportedly presented bids but were not elevated to the short list. The 2019 FIBA World Cup will welcome 32 teams split into eight groups of four for the preliminary stage. The 32 teams are the host country, five from Africa, seven from the Americas, seven from Asia/Oceania and 12 from Europe. A two-year qualification period consisting of six windows will precede the tournament starting in November 2017. A team plays one home and one away game in a qualifying window.