FIBA welcomes participants and guests to Manila ahead of Saturday's World Cup Draw

MANILA (Philippines) - On the eve of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Draw, presented by Wanda, FIBA welcomed all participants and guests to a welcome dinner highlighted by a String Quartet performed by local Filipino singers.

FIBA President Hamane Niang (picture above) and FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis were accompanied by delegates from the 32 national teams who will discover their fortunes in the forthcoming draw on Saturday, along with distinguished members from the FIBA Family, officials from the Local Organizing Committees (LOCs), and representatives from the three host nations. The FIBA Basketball World Cup Global Ambassador Luis Scola, also joined them, as well as basketball icon and FIBA Central Board member Dirk Nowitzki.

The dinner was accompanied with music played by local Filipino artists Jed Madela and JADA.

Luis Scola

Yao Ming

 Yuko Mitsuyda FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Organizing Committee of Japan President and Japanese Basketball Association President

Artists Jed Madela and JADA from the Philippines

Andreas Zagklis

Saturday then marks the day when the 32 teams will shift their focus to know more about their path through the competition. They will learn about their opponents, groups, and the cities where they will play as they strive to become the world champions on September 10.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup Draw presented by Wanda will be streamed live at 19:30 local time (GMT +8).

FIBA