Jabar Ekspres – FIBA Board Member Erick Thohir stated that Indonesia, especially Jakarta, is ready to welcome international basketball players competing in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 which will roll out August 25-September 3.
Apart from the organizing committee, the completion of the Indonesia Arena, the largest indoor stadium with a capacity of 16,000 spectators at Gelora Bung Karno, Senayan, also further ensures Indonesia’s readiness to hold the championship.
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“In a month, Indonesia will be in the spotlight of the world for holding the 2023 Basketball World Cup. We have a new and magnificent indoor stadium, as well as the defending champions, as well as the first ranked basketball world, Spain appearing here,” Erick said in a written statement received in Jakarta on Friday.
“This means that we must also be ready to be a good and successful host so that this event will further catapult the name of Indonesia,” said Erick Thohir who hosted a dinner for ambassadors representing countries that will compete in Jakarta on Thursday (20/7).
In the banquet held by PP Perbasi, five representatives from eight participating countries were present, namely Spanish Ambassador Francisco Aguilera Aranda, Vazken Kavlakian (Charge d’Affaires of the Lebanese Embassy), Mahdi Rounagh (Charge d’Affaires of the Iranian Embassy), Lindolpho Cademartori (Deputy Chief of Mission of the Brazilian Embassy), and Mark Strasser (Charge d’Affaires of the Canadian Embassy).
“I caught the high enthusiasm of the representatives of these friendly countries. They are also impatient and ready to enliven the Indonesia Arena when their country’s team competes. Because after all, the Basketball World Cup is a four-year event whose level is similar to the Olympics,” said Erick.
Erick, who was accompanied by Raffi Ahmad, local ambassador of the FIBA World Cup 2023, Chairman of the Joint Management Committee (JMC) FIBA World Cup 2023 Cahyadi Wanda, and Wasekjen Perbasi Rufiana also asked sports lovers, especially basketball in the country, not to miss the great opportunity to witness the actions of world basketball stars from various countries, some of whom are active in the NBA.
