THE Philippines will join Japan and Indonesia as hosts of this year’s International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup. It is worth mentioning that the country is back to hosting this prestigious international basketball tournament after 45 years. The opening and closing matches and ceremonies will be held in the Philippines while other games will be in Okinawa and Jakarta.
In terms of security and vehicular traffic preparations, the FIBA World Cup 2023 may be considered as important as the 2015 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, 2015 Papal Visit, the 2017 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and the Miss Universe Pageant in 2020.
Gen. Benjamin Acorda, chief of the Philippine National Police, has given the assurance that major security preparations are in place for the event, even weeks before the opening on August 25. He added that the Philippine Sports Commission, local government units, and other stakeholders are cooperating fully on this effort.
Three venues will be used for the event. These are the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, and the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Early on, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. formed an inter-agency task force to fully coordinate the hosting of the games with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas which had been given by the FIBA the authority to co-host the World Cup.
‘All in all, the Philippines stands to gain from the honor and opportunities associated with the FIBA Cup.’
The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) showed its proactive bent in announcing the other day the suspension of all mall-wide sales events and road works in key thoroughfares in the National Capital Region starting next week. The idea is to manage and lessen vehicular traffic in Metro Manila as delegations for the FIBA World Cup begin to arrive and practice for the games.
In his memorandum circular, MMDA chairman Don Artes, said re-blocking, utility works, pipe laying, road upgrading, and excavation works will be temporarily halted on EDSA Monumento to SM Mall of Asia, Kalayaan Avenue, C5 Road to EDSA, along Diokno Boulevard, P. Ocampo St., Taft Avenue to UN Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, NIA Road to UN Avenue, along Meralco Avenue, Ortigas Avenue, EDSA to C5 Road and EDSA North Avenue to Agham Road.
Artes also said the conduct of mall-wide sales will also be prohibited in malls along EDSA and other areas affected by the FIBA World Cup 2023 to ensure that all affected roads will remain “passable, clean, safe, and serviceable to all types of vehicles and pedestrians during the said period.”
Earlier, Tourism Secretary Cristina Frasco urged travel agencies, hotels and other tourism stakeholders to grab the opportunity for tourism-related packages and marketing programs that the FIBA hosting would bring.
All in all, the Philippines stands to gain from the honor and opportunities associated with the FIBA Cup. As Team USA legend Carmelo Anthony said when he visited Manila last February, “whether the Philippines wins, loses or draws — whatever happens — it will be a huge honor for the country” to be one of three hosts.
