Dominicans already gearing up to host World Cup qualifiers
SANTO DOMINGO (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) - Dominican Republic basketball supremo Rafael Uribe has revealed that the country is already in the process of getting ready to host qualifying games for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.
Over a four-year cycle from 2017 through 2021, national teams will play regular home and away games to qualify for the event, and the 2021 FIBA Continental Cups.
"Finally the Dominicans will be able to see their team play at home." - Uribe
The country will play at FIBA AmeriCup 2017 next summer and then turn its attention to trying to play at a World Cup for a second straight time.
The windows to qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 will open in November of next year (Nov. 20-28) and continue in February 2018 (Feb. 19-27). The third window will run from 25 June to 3 July, the fourth in September (10-18) and fifth from 26 November to 4 December with the last in 2019 February (20-28).
"Finally the Dominicans will be able to see their team play at home," said Uribe, the President of the Dominican Republic Basketball Federation (FEDOMBAL), before revealing the possible venues for games.
"The people of FIBA came and recently approved these three courts: El Palacio de los Deportes Virgilio Travieso Soto, Palacio del Voleibol and the Arena del Cibao en Santiago."
The Dominican federation, just like others around the world, will have plenty to do to get ready. Not only will it have to organize contests, but it will want to make the most of the marketing opportunities that go along with such an event.
The expectation is that having home games throughout the year will be more attractive for sponsors of the national team.
The Dominicans had a terrific showing at the World Cup in Spain two years ago, where they made it to the Round of 16, and the hope on the island nation is that the players will make it to China.
"This in itself makes us change the structure of work that we currently have because we will be active throughout the entire year," Uribe said in remarks carried by entornointeligente.com.
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