MIES (Switzerland)/BEIJING (China) - FIBA and the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Local Organizing Committee (LOC) on Thursday marked 100 days to go before the start of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 by launching the global Trophy Tour, presented by Aeroflot, in China's capital Beijing.

The Trophy Tour sees the FIBA Basketball World Cup Naismith Trophy - named in honor of basketball's inventor, Dr James Naismith - embark on a journey across the globe for the first time, making stops on all continents, in a total of 24 countries.

Basketball's biggest prize will be displayed in iconic locations and appear on television. Fans will have the opportunity to get their photo taken with the piece of silverware which the world's best team and biggest players receive in celebration of being crowned world champions.

The ceremony brought together high-ranking officials from FIBA, the LOC, as well as representatives of the city. Yao Ming, FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 global ambassador and CBA Chairman, was on hand to witness the launch of the Trophy Tour.

The campaign increases awareness about the biggest edition of FIBA's flagship event, set to feature a record 32 national teams competing in eight Chinese cities from August 31 to September 15.

It contributes to FIBA's long-term vision of having the World Cup be recognized as one of the top five sporting properties and the event's objective of being the most talked about, most viewed and most shared sporting event of 2019.

The Trophy Tour is also a vehicle to grow interest in basketball worldwide and increase excitement - among fans and media alike - while creating visibility and awareness for its presenting partner, Aeroflot.

Click here for the complete schedule of the Trophy Tour, presented by Aeroflot.

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About FIBA
FIBA (fiba.basketball) - the world governing body for basketball - is an independent association formed by 213 National Basketball Federations throughout the world. It is recognised as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

For further information about FIBA, visit fiba.basketball or follow FIBA on facebook.com/fiba, twitter.com/fiba, instagram.com/fiba and youtube.com/fiba.