Indonesia to Host FIBA World Cup 2023

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Indonesia, the Philippines, and Japan have been officially declared as co-hosts for the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup 2023, after they won the election in Switzerland on Saturday.

Indonesia, the Philippines, and Japan defeated Argentina and Uruguay, which had also competed to co-host the championship, according to an official statement received here.

"We have reviewed the readiness of all candidates, and Indonesia, along with the Philippines, and Japan have been considered the right combination to be given an opportunity to be the organizer of the world`s most prestigious basketball competition," FIBA secretary general Patrick Baumann stated.

He added that the three countries were also in high spirits to be hosts.

In addition, the population of the three countries has combined to reach 500 million, with most of them being young, he noted.

FIBA has considered the factors as being in line with their vision to make basketball the most popular sport in the world.

To make the FIBA World Cup 2024 be focused with regard to sports, the athletes tournament will be carried out in five arenas in three cities, which are Jakarta (Indonesia), Manila (the Philippines), and Okinawa (Japan), while venues must also be close to accommodation, media, medical, and other important services.

The president of Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA), who is also the general chairman of the Indonesia Olympic Committee (KOI), Erick Thohir, viewed the country`s success to become the host of the World Basketball Cup as a reflection of the international community`s trust in the country.

"Therefore, we must respond to it by becoming a good host," he noted.

Erick, who attended the selection as head of team of candidates, remarked that the opportunity to be the host of the world`s highest basketball tournament was in line with the government`s wish, which is that Indonesia must more frequently host international championships.

Besides opening an opportunity for Indonesia to host prestigious tournaments, such as Olympics or World Football Cup, Erick revealed that the momentum of being the host of the World Basketball Cup would be very good for accelerating the development of sports industry in the country.

Indonesia`s success to be the host of FIBA World Cup 2023 marked two important developments, namely, it will be the first time that Indonesia will hold the world`s highest basketball competition and that the championship would be the first, which will be organized jointly since 1950.

In 2014, the championship was held in Spain, with the US emerging as the champion, while in 2019, it will be held in China. (WDY)