All systems go for Fiba-Asia Hosting
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 11 Jun 2013
MANILA (PNA) - The Philippines has been pronounced ready for the hosting of the Fiba-Asia championship, a little less than three months before the games begin on Aug. 1.
Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas deputy executive director Bernie Atienza announced in last Friday?s SCOOP Sa Kamayan session that his association, headed by its president, Manny V. Pangilinan, is 90- percent ready to stage the 16-nation tournament which serves as qualifying for the 2014 FIBA World Championship set in Spain.
?Yes, all the most important aspects of preparations, from the games venues to hotel accommodations, etc. have been set in place to make the FIBA-Asia tournament very memorable to our guests, some 400 to 500 of them, including 320 players,? Atienza, who is also the head of the secretariat of the Local Organizing Committee, assured.
?Boss MVP, (to which the telecommunications mogul Pangilinan is also known) and the SBP is, indeed, doing everything to make our hosting turns out the best ever because, as we were told, FIBA international is making this Manila meet the yardstick of all the coming regional championships on the way to the world conclave,? Atienza disclosed.
?This having been said, Boss MVP and the SBP are eyeing this 27th edition of the FIBA-Asia (formerly Asian Basketball Confederation) a championship like no other,? Atienza said.
Proof that the entire basketball world is awaiting Manila 2013, the SBP deputy executive director said, is the assurance that no less than the FIBA-International president Yuan Maimini of France and secretary general Patrick Baumann will come to attend at least the opening ceremony.
Also expected to grace the regional championship are FIBA-Asia president Saud Bin Al-Thani, secretary general Hagop Khaijirian, secretary general emeritus Datu Yeoh Cho Hock, FIBA-International secretary general emeritus Boris Stankovic and FIBA-International director for sports Zorn Radovic.
Some 200 other guests, including 40 foreign media men and a 12-man statistics team from Geneva as well as representatives from time-keeping manufacturer Tissot are also coming to observe how the games will be run and why the Philippines has been known for its organizational savvy, according to Atienza.
All the 350 or so players, coaches and utility men from the 16-nation field will be housed at the Dusit Hotel in Makati, disclosed Atienza.
The posh Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City and the historic Manila Hotel in the Capital City will be homes for the VIPs, including FIBA-International and FIBA-Asia officials, during their stay in the country.
The referees and other games officials will be billeted at the Diamond Hotel, also in Manila.
All participating teams will be given air-conditioned shuttle buses each, the same privilege to be accorded print and broadcast media men covering the event. Members of the foreign press will be on their own and have to reserve hotel rooms as early as possible to avoid rush.
Atienza said that as of the end of last week, 22 media outfits have already requested accreditation forms for the right to cover the championship.
?The main hub of the tournament, as everybody knows, is the newly-built Mall of Asia Arena, which doesn?t need any further refurbishing but is still being spruce up to ensure the comfort of thosw who willo watch the games,? Atienza said, who represented SBP executive director Sonny Barrios who could not come due to pressing commitment.
?Chair Richie Garcia of the Philippine Sports Commission, which owns the Ninoy Aquino Stadium (inside the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex) has also promised us to start repairing the alternate venue soon,? Atienza said.
Designated practice venues are at the Trestone College Gym, University of Makati Gym, the Makati Coliseum and the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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