The coming Saturday, December 9, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) will make the momentous and historic decision on the host country for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
With Turkey and Russia backing out of their bids, the groups vying for the hosting rights for basketball’s biggest tournament, has come down to two blocs – Argentina/Uruguay and the Philippines/Indonesia/Japan.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas plans to amp the social media noise level to worldwide proportions with the hashtag #PlayLouderIn2023. With the Philippines acknowledged as a social media capital of the world, SBP hopes that the Philippines will take the lead in this “social media noise barrage” along with the partner countries who will also undertake their local promotional efforts.
With the help of media and the Filipino people, the SBP hopes to make the world know of what the game of basketball and what hosting basketball’s most prestigious event means in this side of the world.
“We need the support of the Filipino people once more and we need the media to get the word out about our dream to host one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events – the FIBA World Cup along with our friends and partners from Indonesia and Japan,” said SBP President Al Panlilio.
“We need everyone to use #playlouderin2023 in their social media platforms from Facebook to Instagram to Twitter and what have you on Friday, December 8 just as the SBP delegation is making one last pitch to FIBA. Make the world know that we are going to put on the best show.”
“The SBP is constantly and continuously looking for ways to evangelize the sport to our basketball-crazy nation. We have seen how the 2013 FIBA Asia Championships brought our country to a worldwide spotlight as we placed our best foot forward as a major sports destination.”
“Hosting the 2023 FIBA World Cup will not only bring prestige to our country and this part of Asia but will be a boon for sport not to mention will spark local economies,” added SBP Executive Director Sonny Barrios.
“The SBP is happy to take on this challenge which started as soon as we placed out bid for this event. We enjoin all the Filipino people to help out in this bid. You are our sixth man.”
And to the Filipino people – the Sixth Man of our national team, Gilas Pilipinas – let’s make some noise.
