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| (Image Source: FIBA) |
FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, and the Philippines' leading mobile services provider Smart Communications have officially announced their global partnership ahead of the 2023 Basketball World Cup which will run until December 31, 2023. Through the newly-forged partnership, Smart is granted exclusivity in terms of telecommunications worldwide and provides key commercial rights across all FIBA competitions including the men's and women's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, FIBA Continental Cups for both men and women, FIBA Youth World Cups, the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup and the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
Smart will play a pivotal role in the lead to, and during, the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 using Smart 5G technology. The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 is set to take place for the first time across three nations - the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia - from August 25 to September 10, 2023. The Group Phase will be held across all three countries, with the Final Phase to follow in the Philippines' capital city of Manila. FIBA and Smart will work together to create a wide array of exciting experiences for both athletes and fans across different parts of the globe.
"Our partnership with FIBA is a milestone for our whole nation, just as it is for our company. Through Smart's mobile innovations, we look forward to introducing immersive digital experiences that will bring hardcourt action to the fingertips of basketball fans around the world and connect us all in our love for the sport," said PLDT-Smart Communications chairman and Samahang Basketball Ng Pilipinas (SBP) chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan. Meanwhile, PLDT-Smart president and CEO and incoming Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) first vice-president Alfredo S. Panlilio stated that the partnership is a huge step in bringing Filipino athletes closer to the world stage.
For FIBA Secretary-General Andreas Zagklis, "We are extremely pleased to welcome Smart Communications as a FIBA Global Partner. Joining forces with a leading telecommunications company such as Smart will bring unrivalled experiences in the leadup to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. Giving our fans the best ever experience, whether at home or in arenas, is a crucial aspect of any FIBA event, and even more so for this flagship competition. We are looking forward to working with Smart to harness their state-of-the-art technologies and 5G capabilities to deliver the most connected and engaging FIBA Basketball World Cup to date."
