FIBA assured of Duterte's support

GENEVA – A key element in the Philippine consortium’s winning bid to host the 2023 FIBA World Cup was the government support that Deputy Speaker Rep. Pia Cayetano cited in her talk during the 20-minute presentation to the FIBA Central Board before the decision was announced at the FIBA head office in Mies, a town near this Swiss city, last Saturday.

Cayetano said the government will invest up to $1.6 Billion from 2017 to 2022 on growth-enhancing infrastructure and transport projects to relieve traffic congestion, provide a more efficient public movement system and allow ease of travel across Metro Manila. She also assured the Central Board of security and safety for visitors in the course of the World Cup.

“Our government will support special transport arrangements such as dedicated travel lanes and escorts to ensure the most efficient and effective transport of the athletes, team officials and FIBA family,” said Cayetano. “As Foreign Affairs Secretary, my brother Alan Peter assures FIBA that getting to the Philippines from anywhere in the world will be made simple. Where special arrangements beyond our existing visa waiver program are needed, our government and consular officials will be ready to ensure that those associated with the event are quickly able to obtain the clearance they need to travel.”

Cayetano called the consortium’s effort to claim the hosting rights “a passion project” and guaranteed President Duterte’s full backing. “Our government is committed to providing all the support, services, resources and assistance that will be necessary to make sure the tournament is successful,” she said. “I can assure the FIBA Central Board that President Duterte is in full support of this bid. We are ready to deliver the commitments which have been included in the bidding application, particularly in the areas of transport, travel, safety and security. For the next five years, our government has vowed to undertake the most ambitious infrastructure program in Philippine history. This is not just an aspiration but a genuine commitment.”

Cayetano won the hearts of the Central Board at the start of her talk when she spoke of her basketball story. “I grew up with a grandmother glued to the TV set watching her favorite local basketball team play,” she said. “Every Sunday, I watched my father (the late Senator Rene) play basketball in his Rotary club tournament. My three brothers and I were raised in a home with a halfcourt in our backyard. But my story is not unique. Every Filipino has a basketball story. The Philippines is basketball country. As a nationally elected senator, I have been to remote towns where you will find locals playing until the last ray of sunshine still casts a shadow of light on the dirt, unpaved basketball court. Playing host to the World Cup is of great importance to us. It is time for the world to recognize the Philippines and to experience Filipino hospitality, see our unique brand of basketball and the passion that we give to it.”

After FIBA president Horacio Muratore announced that the consortium had won the bid to host the 2023 World Cup, SBP chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan got on the phone to break the news to President Duterte. “I thanked the President and mentioned that I had used his name twice in pushing our bid during our presentation,” said Pangilinan. “The President told me no problem since it’s for our country. Government support is necessary for us to organize and stage a successful World Cup.”

The Philippine-led consortium with Japan and Indonesia clinched the hosting rights when the only other finalist, a two-nation bid by Argentina and Uruguay, withdrew before the Central Board voting. The Central Board said Argentina and Uruguay will be given preferred status if they intend to bid for the 2027 World Cup.  The plan is to award the hosting rights for 2027 at the next Central Board meeting in June 2018. A new Evaluation Commission will be designated by FIBA to look over the bids.

Muratore inhibited himself from deliberations on deciding the 2023 host as he is from Argentina. He gave Pangilinan a warm embrace to congratulate him for the winning bid. Hosting the 2023 edition will be historic, marking the first World Cup to be held in multiple countries.

“This was a very difficult decision as both candidatures were of exceptional quality,” said Muratore. “We want to congratulate both bidders for their outstanding work. We are very pleased to see national federations team up and put together bids of the highest quality to host our World Cup. We look forward to witnessing the FIBA 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.”