2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup bids - Philippines' vision and concept

MIES (2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup) - On Friday 7 August, FIBA's Central Board will announce who of The People's Republic of China or the Republic of the Philippines will host the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

In the lead-up to the decision, FIBA.com takes a closer look at the proposals made by both countries, focusing on four key areas:
1. Vision and concept
2. Experience in hosting events
3. Basketball history
4. Cities and venues

Here, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (the basketball federation of the Philippines) provides information about the vision and concept behind its bid.

Philippines 2019 plans a "passionate, innovative and game-changing" FIBA Basketball World Cup that would stimulate the growth of basketball around the world.

The Philippines has unveiled key details of its passionate, innovative and game-changing bid to host the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

At the heart of the country's vision to host the tournament is the enduring passion of the Philippines' vast and diverse basketball fan base. And as the social media capital of the world, the ability and willingness of the nation to share that passion with a global audience through social media is one of the most compelling reasons why the Philippines would deliver a truly memorable, and "shareable" global sporting and media event.

"We are hugely excited by the opportunities the Philippines 2019 bid offers our country and, vitally, the sport of basketball around the world. We believe we are presenting FIBA with a passionate, innovative and game changing vision from a country on the move," said Manuel V Pangilinan, President of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (Basketball Federation of the Philippines).

"In the Philippines, basketball is life. It is part of our cultural fabric and the number one sport which people throughout our country follow devotedly every day. The opportunity to receive the honour of hosting the FIBA World Cup would provoke extraordinary national pride - an energy that would be felt and talked about right across the globe," said Mr Pangilinan.

As a country on the rise, with one of the fastest growing economies in Asia and the world's 12th largest population at over 100 million people, the Philippines has the resources and infrastructure in place to guarantee the delivery of a truly world-class tournament.

By combining the potential of the Philippines with the power of the world's premier basketball event and country's unrivalled enthusiasm for basketball, the bid believes it offers a strong partnership for FIBA to help reignite the world's passion for the sport and fuel its continued growth across the globe.

A vision to redefine fandom
The Philippines is strongly placed to deliver an outstanding fan experience, particularly with the country having been honoured with the Most Valuable Fan Best Country Award at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

With a bid built on the nation's passion for basketball, and a vision to inspire and unite a country, the Philippines bid believe that the event will redefine "fandom", delivering an unrivalled experience and creating a festival event that will be the envy of all other global events, talked and written about for years to come. A Basketball World Cup in the Philippines would ignite global interest and engagement in the sport and ensure that it becomes recognised as one of the world's greatest international sporting events. In this way, the bid believe a Philippines 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup would be a truly game-changing event for FIBA and the sport worldwide.

To help achieve this, the bid plans to utilize the Philippines' position as the social media capital of the world by taking social engagement online to new heights during a Philippines 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, by creating a variety of new online initiatives. These include FIBA Fan TV online and virtual fan competitions at the various venues and live sites.

With the event footprint largely centred around Metro Manila - considered one of the world's true "mega cities" and a fun, vibrant and rapidly developing regional hub - the city's 24 million population will be in close proximity to the many competition and non-competition venues. Given the additional benefit of Manila serving as the main gateway to the Philippines for international visitors, a Philippines 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup would create a unique inclusive and celebratory festival atmosphere that would dominate the city and the country, for the duration of the tournament.

"From the fans to government to the business community, the entire country is fully behind our bid and hugely passionate about hosting a truly transformational FIBA Basketball World Cup. We believe our modern arenas, effective transportation and combination of committed government and private sector support can deliver a truly memorable and 'game-changing tournament,'" said Mr Pangilinan.