PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte favored the Philippines' bid to co-host the 2023 Fiba World Cup, in order to promote the country's basketball sport, as well as its tourism industry, MalacaƱang said on Saturday.
The Philippines, which failed to claim the hosting rights for 2019 event, teamed up with Japan and Indonesia for the 2023 Fiba World Cup.
On Thursday, the three-man Fiba Evaluation Commission inspected facilities in the Philippines that can be used for 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup. The final nod would be given by Fiba Central Board in December.
Abella said the Philippines would get another boost in tourism, should it be able to secure the hosting rights in 2023.
"President Duterte backs the Fiba World Cup to support the initiative of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Chairman Emeritus Manuel V. Pangilinan and SBP President Al Panlilio," Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement read on state-run dzRB.
"This hosting is very rare and it will unify the country and will have positive impact on basketball and tourism," he added.
China will host the 2019 Fiba World Cup across eight cities. (SunStar Philippines)