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China to host 2019 World Cup
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CHINA has won the right to host the 2019 basketball World Cup, beating the Philippines in yesterday’s vote in Tokyo.
The sport’s international ruling body FIBA chose basketball-mad China following a presentation by the country’s delegation, helped by former National Basketball Association giant Yao Ming.
“I’m very excited to bring the 2019 World Cup to China,” said the one-time Houston Rockets and Shanghai Sharks great, who represented China at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
“I’m sure millions of Chinese fans share the same joy. I know the feeling to play in your home country and I’m sure that same feeling will encourage many young athletes to play basketball.
“We have to make sure we deliver on the promises we’ve made,” added Yao, arguably his country’s biggest sporting celebrity.
“We have to develop the level of basketball in China, in the national team, in the professional league, in high school and college.”
The Philippines lost out, meanwhile, despite the support of boxing superstar and legislator Manny Pacquiao, himself an avid basketball fan, who was on hand in Tokyo to press his country’s case.
The FIBA’s Central Board voted 14 in favor of China’s bid, with seven backing that of the Philippines, according to the federation.
The 2019 tournament will feature 32 teams for the first time.
It will be the first World Cup played under FIBA’s new qualifying process which begins in November 2017 and lasts 18 months.
The United States is the defending champion.
Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Suzhou, Foshan, Wuhan, and Donguan will host games.
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