Manila will play host to the fifth edition of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 3×3 World Cup in 2018, it has been announced.
Twenty men’s and women’s teams are due to participate in team events as well as a men’s dunk, a women’s skills and a mixed shootout contest.
No dates have yet been confirmed.
It comes after Manila, capital city of The Philippines, also hosted FIBA 3×3 World Tour legs in 2013 and 2015.
“We are very proud and honored to be hosting the FIBA 3×3 World Cup next year,” said Philippines Basketball Federation (SPB) executive director Sonny Barrios said.
“Our two previous experiences hosting FIBA 3×3 events have been a success and 3×3 has become a centerpiece of our development program.”
Teams will be selected based on their FIBA 3×3 Federation Rankings at a cutoff point of November 1 this year.
“We are delighted to bring the FIBA 3×3 World Cup to the Philippines,” added FIBA 3×3 managing director Alex Sanchez said.
“We are positive SPB and the passionate Filipino fans will make it an unbelievable experience for the best 3×3 players in the world and everyone watching on all platforms.”
Nantes in France is due to stage this year’s World Cup from June 17 to 21.
The 2019 event has already been awarded to Amsterdam.
Serbia’s men and Czech Republic’s women are the defending champions following victories at the 2016 event in Guangzhou, China.
Athens hosted an inaugural World Cup event in 2012 before Moscow followed suit in 2014.
It comes as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board decide whether basketball 3×3 should be added to the Summer Olympic program at Tokyo 2020.
It is among many new disciplines and events set to be discussed at a meeting held on Friday (June 9).
FIBA have also announced the launch of the new website specifically catered towards 3×3 basketball.
The website, accessible here, is billed as the “place to be for the large community of fans of the 3×3 game as well as for players, media, national basketball federations, private organizers, partners and any other stakeholders.”
By Nick Butler
Republished with permission from insidethegames.biz.