MIES, Switzerland (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) - Friday, August 31, 2018 marks exactly one year to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 tipping off in China and the milestone will be commemorated through a series of ceremonies featuring the unveiling of Tissot countdown clocks in the eight cities hosting FIBA's flagship competition.

The launch events, spread out over the course of two weeks (August 31-September 12), will take place in central locations of each host city. On hand to witness the festivities will be distinguished guests, including high-ranking representatives from FIBA, Tissot, the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), the Local Organization Committee (LOC), the Local Organizing Committee for each host city (LLOC), together with provincial and local government officials and special guests.

Every city will unveil, in its own unique way, an official FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 countdown clock - produced and operated by FIBA Partner Tissot - that will indicate the remaining days, hours, minutes and seconds until the first-ever 32-team edition of the competition tips off on August 31, 2019. Additionally, each city will be presented a commemorative plaque.

Tissot has been a FIBA Partner and Official Timekeeper since 2008. In September 2017, the largest traditional Swiss watch brand based on volume and FIBA extended their partnership beyond the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.

As well as the official part of these ceremonies - consisting of speeches, the presentation of the plaques and the unveiling of the countdown clocks - each city will complement the festivities with its own entertainment program and side activities.

The events will take place in the following order:

• Beijing - August 31
• Shanghai - September 1
• Nanjing - September 4
• Wuhan - September 6
• Shenzhen - September 8
• Foshan - September 9
• Dongguan - September 11
• Guangzhou - September 12

Click here to find out the exact location of the Tissot countdown clocks in the eight FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 host cities.

Following the celebrations to mark the one year to go to China 2019 milestone, the Second Round of the World Cup Qualifiers will tip off on September 13.

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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.

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About Tissot
The plus sign in the logo symbolises the Swiss quality and reliability Tissot has shown since 1853. The watches, sold in more than 160 countries, are authentic, accessible and use special materials, advanced functionalities and meticulous design. Tissot stands by its signature, Innovators by Tradition. The high calibre of the brand has been repeatedly recognised. Tissot has been named Official Timekeeper and Partner of many disciplines, including, basketball with the NBA and FIBA; cycling with the Tour de France and the UCI World Cycling Championships; motorsports with MotoGPTM and the FIM World Superbike Championship and rugby with the NatWest 6 Nations Championship, TOP14, the European Rugby Champions and Challenge Cups. It is also the Official Timekeeper of the World Championships of fencing and ice hockey. www.tissotwatches.com.