‘Hosting Fiba Cup, SEAG no problem’

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia expressed confidence the country can handle the staging of two major events in 2019 – the Southeast Asian Games and possibly the Fiba World Cup, saying he sees no conflict whatsoever in terms of sponsorship sourcing.

“I honestly believe we can host both the Southeast Asian Games and the Fiba World Cup without one affecting the other,” Garcia told The STAR yesterday.

Phl, through the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) headed by PLDT boss Manuel V. Pangilinan, is bidding to host the prestigious event, which will bring the sport’s powerhouses led by the NBA-bannered US to the shores of the hoops-crazed nation. Phl is contesting the rights with China.

While the Fiba bid is pending, Phl, through the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), has committed to staging the 11-nation regional SEAG.

“I’m fully supporting the bid for Fiba World as it will be good for the country. And there’s no reason why we can’t host the SEA Games and the Fiba World in the same year. The Fiba World is a global event and like the Olympics, there’s already a built-in sponsorship, it has major international sponsors.

“For the SEA Games, which is a regional competition, local sponsors will likely be tapped, leaving the big companies to the Fiba World. So I don’t think the hosting of the SEA Games will affect (the possible hosting of) the Fiba World,” said Garcia.

The government sports agency is not throwing in major funding to either endeavor, as of yet.

“We don’t have the substantial budget they require,” Garcia said, although he reiterated that the PSC will provide support in the areas of logistics, manpower or “whatever they need to make the event successful.”

The SBP will make a final pitch before the Fiba Central Board on Aug. 7 in Tokyo. The group is banking on the Filipinos’ extraordinary love for basketball, in addition to the capability to meet basic hosting requirements, to win over the world-governing body.

“I hope we win the bid. It’s a very good event that will attract foreigners, tourists, to come and watch here. There’s a passion for basketball in the Philippines. I’m sure if you bring the Fiba World to the Philippines, the games will be full packed, unlike last time in Spain, some of the games played to a near empty stadium,” said Garcia.

The PSC chief said he’s all in favor of the hosting, describing it as an “investment.”

“It’s a big investment that I feel will bring payback (returns) to the country in terms of tourism and the income it will generate,” he said.