CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Pampanga First District Representative Joseller "Yeng" Guiao has expressed support to the bid of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to host the FIBA World Championship Games In 2019.
Guiao recently filed House Resolution 1781 "supporting the bid of the SBP for the Philippines to host the FIBA World Championship Games in 2019 and enjoining the government to extend its full assistance and support for the successful hosting and conduct of this prestigious tournament."
The Pampanga lawmaker said that the Philippines has been included by FIBA in the shortlist of countries to host the next FIBA World Cups in 2019 and 2023, along with China, Qatar, Turkey, France and Germany.
Guiao noted in the resolution that one of the key requirements by FIBA is to have multiple suitable venues for the games and according to the SBP, which is spearheading the campaign, three venues would already pass FIBA requirements. The venues include the Mall of Asia Arena, the Philippine Sports Arena, and the Smart Araneta Coliseum, while two more stadiums, he said, are reportedly being built to be completed in time for the next FIBA World Cup.
He furthered that "the private sector, through number one sports patron and SBP president Manuel 'Manny' V. Pangilinan, is making a strong push for our bid and has put in tons of efforts and resources in order to make it to the shortlist."
Guiao added in the resolution that "our country has proven its capacity to host international tournaments with the successful conduct of the FIBA Asia Championships at the Mall of Asia Arena in 2013 and our own hosting of the FIBA World Cup in 1978. We must show our unity as a people in pushing for this bid and extend all assistance necessary to ensure our successful campaign to host the next FIBA World Cup."
"Our successful bid will certainly bring honor and prestige to the country as well as allow us to reap the other benefits of hosting such as the revenues from tourism related activities and the country's promotion as an international destination," Guiao said. (JTD)