Marcos creates Fiba World Cup hosting task force

President Marcos has created an inter-agency task force to prepare for the country’s hosting of the Fiba (International Basketball Federation) World Cup from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10 this year.

Under Administrative Order No. 5 signed on March 27, the President ordered government agencies and called on local government units to support the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) for the country’s hosting of the Fiba World Cup.

Mr. Marcos said the task force, which would be led by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chair Dickie Bachmann, would be in charge of “streamlining, integrating, harmonizing and coordinating all government efforts with the plans and programs” of the SBP and its local organizing committee.

The chief executive also urged nongovernment organizations and the private sector to support the country’s hosting of the event.

“The successful organization and hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 requires the involvement, coordination and support of all concerned government agencies, local government units, and the private sector,” the administrative order stated.

Other task force members are heads of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Tourism, Department of Transportation, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, Philippine National Police and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

The Philippines, ranked 40th in the world, automatically qualified for this year’s World Cup by being one of the host countries together with Indonesia and Japan.

Manila had previously hosted the event in 1978.