President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed his excitement for the Philippines’ hosting of the 2023 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Basketball World Cup (FBWC 2023) during a courtesy call by FIBA Central Board members and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) delegates at the Malacañang Palace on Friday.
He recalled his father’s participation in the first-ever FIBA event in the country in 1978 and said it would be an honor for him to reenact that moment at the upcoming World Cup.
“I was there when my father first tossed the ball and I’m quite pleased to be able to — I didn’t realize that that was the first time that it happened here in the Philippines,” the chief executive said.
“And I’m happy that I will be there for the time that it will — the FIBA events will return — World Cup now, will return to the Philippines. So it would be an honor for me to reenact perhaps, reenact what my father did in 1978," he added.
Marcos also affirmed the government’s support for the event and sports in general, which he believes are crucial for social development, discipline, health, and camaraderie.
The president thanked FIBA and SBP Chairman Emeritus Manuel Pangilinan for their hard work in making the country’s hosting possible.
FIBA is an association of national organizations that governs basketball competitions worldwide, with 212 National Federation members across the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.
The FBWC 2023 will be hosted by the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia in August.
