SBP sets early deadline for World Cup bid

MANILA, Philippines - After the five-day visit of the FIBA evaluation committee, SBP executive director Sonny Barrios said yesterday the parameters are now defined in finalizing the country’s bid to host the 2019 FIBA World Cup and while living up to expectations of a “quantum leap” proposal won’t be easy, the way is clear to get it done.

Barrios said the SBP is setting an internal deadline of March 31 to finish the bid files. “We’ll hit the ground running,” he said. “Our work is cut out for us. We’re thinking of a self-imposed deadline of March 31. FIBA requires all bids to be submitted by April 30. This will give us a one-month period to make adjustments if necessary. During this time, we need to calibrate what comes out in media because we don’t want to leak information that the other bidders may use in trying to make their own bids attractive.”

There are six bidders for the hosting rights – the Philippines, China, Qatar, Turkey and jointly, Germany and France. Since the last two World Cups were held in Europe – Turkey in 2010 and Spain last year, it’s likely the 2019 edition may be brought to Asia. Qatar has indicated interest to host in 2023 instead so that leaves China and the Philippines in close contention. “My gut feeling is our toughest rival is China,” said Barrios. “Right now, China is ahead of us in terms of facilities. But by 2018, I think we should be at par or even ahead with the completion of the SM Cebu Arena and Solaire Arena. Our biggest asset is our national passion for the game. All things being equal, it’s our passion that will put us on top. China might be able to fill up stadiums with bodies but there are no fans like ours anywhere in the world, we breathe basketball in our country. I’m encouraged by the fact that in FIBA’s own videos, you see footage of our fans at the last FIBA Asia Championships and we won the MVF or Most Valuable Fan country award at the last World Cup.”

FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann arrived here last Thursday to confer with the FIBA evaluation committee and SBP officials. The FIBA visitors left the next day after paying a courtesy call on Vice President Jejomar Binay at the Coconut Palace. The meeting with Binay and his daughter Rep. Abigail Binay was positive.

“Mr. Baumann has a soft spot in his heart for those who genuinely love basketball and he knows who they are,” said Barrios. “That’s why he connects easily with Mr. MVP (SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan). The Vice President is a sports and basketball lover. In fact, he watched nearly all the Gilas games in the arena at the last FIBA Asia Championships. The Vice President is upbeat about our bid to host the 2019 World Cup and will support it. FIBA realizes how important government support is to guarantee the successful staging of the World Cup. Mr. MVP sent a strong signal that we will work closely with government in making this happen.”

The FIBA guests also met with Senate President Franklin Drilon, House of Representatives Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Sen. Grace Po, Sen. Cynthia Villar, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Pagcor CEO Cristino Naguiat, Pagcor director Lito Tanjuatco, DOT Undersecretary Ma. Victoria Jasmin and Deputy Executive Secretary Teofilo Pilandro at a dinner hosted by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario last Thursday. Rep. Robbie Puno and Rep. Yeng Guiao co-authored a resolution that was passed in the House supporting the bid last Monday. A similar resolution has been filed in the Senate by Sen. Sonny Angara.

Barrios said Baumann pointed to certain “back of the house” requirements that the SBP must address in its bid. “No problem with our basketball courts which are all up to international standards,” he noted. “What FIBA is concerned about is the space we need to allocate for media and VIP guests. This is the first time that the World Cup will bring in 32 teams and FIBA is expecting not just VIPs from 32 countries but other countries, too. Remember that there are Central Board members from countries that may not be represented at the World Cup. The hospitality center must be big enough to accommodate a large number of VIPs. As for the media center, the rule of thumb is to provide space of two square meters per person. In the preliminaries, we must provide space for at least 150 media or 300 square meters. In the playoffs, there will be at least 600 media so that means 1,200 square meters. We must also provide for TV coverors. We’ve looked at the Philippine Arena, Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum to check where we could set up a hospitality lounge and a media center to conform to FIBA’s requirements. We’ve met with the officers of the venues and everyone is cooperating in making our bid feasible.”

Barrios said Baumann wants a “quantum leap” staging of the next World Cup. “FIBA wants to make a quantum leap from Spain,” he said. “Mr. Baumann told us not to be misled by Spain, that we shouldn’t only match Spain’s standards. He wants us to prepare a bid that will go way over the top. After we submit our final bid proposal to FIBA, we will make a presentation to the Central Board when it convenes in Geneva on June 18-19. We want to sweep the Central Board off its feet.”