China Will Host FIBA Flagship Event in 2019

(ATR)Eight cities in China will host competition for international basketball's flagship event in four years.

On Friday, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) awarded the hosting rights for the 2019 FIBA World Cup to China.

Organizers plans to stage games in Beijing, Dongguan, Foshan, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou, Shenzhen and Wuhan.

The Philippines was the only other host candidate in the race for the World Cup.The final result of the voting was 14 to seven. FIBA presidentHoracio Muratore said in a statement that the decision was "very difficult."

He added, "We had two national federations who did excellent work. However, there can only be one host country for our event in 2019, and it will be China.

Muratore also referred to the new format for the FIBA World Cup, debuting in 2019."We look forward to the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, which will be the first of a new era."

During a 15-month qualification period, 140 teams will vie for the 32 spots at competition in China. The previous format for the event included only 24 teams.

Yao Ming, National Basketball Association star and the ambassador for the China 2019 bid, hopes the event will encourage young people in China to pick of the sport.

"I know what it's like to play a top level basketball tournament in front of home fans because I played at the 2008 Beijing Olympics," Ming said in a statement.

"Having the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup will inspire a lot of people and particularly more young athletes to participate in basketball."

He added, "It's such an exciting moment to bring the 2019 FIBA World Cup to China, and I'm sure that millions of fans are sharing this joy with us."

Written byNicole Bennett

Homepage photo: Getty Images

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