For Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Sonny Barrios, there’s no other place in the world than in Asia if the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) wishes to have a much wider reach on the global stage.
The Philippines, together with Indonesia and Japan, is currently bidding to host the FIBA World Cup 2023. And for Barrios, it would be much better for the world governing body to choose their bloc if globalization is their goal.
“Sabi nga namin, multi-culture, multi-religion, multi-language, multi-economic stations. So if you’re FIBA, and your main objective is globalization of the sport, then dapat mas (focus) ka sa co-hosting bid nitong tatlo,” said the exec.
“Kasi mas global yung reach, di ba? In all aspects — culturally, economically, even sheer numbers.”
Even SBP president Al Panlilio echoed his sentiments.
“That’s also aligned to what FIBA wants to do — how do [they] expand basketball globally, bigger than FIFA, bigger than soccer. FIFA is much bigger today globally than FIBA, and I think FIBA’s aspirations is to challenge that.
“What better way to bring it to [a much bigger population],” said Panlilio.
The Asian group is in a contest with another joint venture from Argentina and Uruguay. And as the two executives mentioned, the Filipino-led bloc has the advantage over the South Americans in terms of population count.
“In terms of [having a] compelling [bid, we have the upper hand],” said the former PBA commissioner, as both Argentina and Uruguay only have a total of 43 million people while the three Asian countries have nearly 500 million.
The Central Board will unveil the FIBA World Cup 2023 hosts on Saturday, December 9.
