Andreas Zagklis, the Secretary-General of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), has highlighted the remarkable growth and rising popularity of basketball as a sport worldwide. Speaking during a pre-event media briefing ahead of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Zagklis emphasized basketball’s increasing appeal and expansion among participants.
The upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup, set to begin in less than 10 days, retains the 32-team format from the previous edition. However, this time, there are distinctive differences. The tournament will span three different countries—Indonesia, the Philippines, and Japan—each in a separate time zone. Notably, nine teams will be making their debuts in the FIBA World Cup, marking a significant step forward, as reported by Xinhua.
Zagklis engaged in discussions about basketball’s development in various regions, such as West Asia, Britain, Japan, and other parts of the world. He highlighted the considerable support basketball has gained in West Asia and North Africa, along with commendable performances by Britain and notable progress in Japanese basketball.
“Our mission is to make basketball the most popular global sports community,” Zagklis stressed. “This vision is the foundation of our efforts to foster the worldwide growth of our beloved sport.”
The logistical complexities of hosting the tournament across three countries led FIBA to implement measures to reduce transfers. Over half of the teams will not require relocation after the group stage, and those needing transfers will experience a maximum of one transfer. Zagklis pointed out that the diverse time zones benefit broadcasting, ensuring games are accessible at various times of the day.
Zagklis expressed openness to the possibility of repeating the multi-country hosting format in future World Cup events. This could lead to additional FIBA World Cups with multiple host countries. “The central board has considered the potential for up to four countries and multi-country hosting models,” he explained.
From a business perspective, the 2023 FIBA World Cup stands out with a record number of sponsorship and marketing partners. “Commercially, this World Cup has proven to be the most successful we’ve ever had,” Zagklis affirmed.
In the tournament, the 32 teams have been divided into eight groups, each consisting of four teams. This exciting event promises not only thrilling matches but also showcases FIBA’s dedication to growing basketball’s global footprint.
-IANS
