Bid teams from both countries will make presentations to the FIBA’s Central Board in Tokyo in a final bid to sway the vote in their favour.

China 2019 is currently refining its presentation and working on the messages it wishes to convey before the verdict is delivered in Japan's capital. 

It is proposing eight host cities, including the capital Beijing, which last week was awarded the rights to stage the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The other cities are Nanjing, hosts of last year’s Summer Youth Olympic Games, as well as Suzhou, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Foshan, Dongguan and Shenzhen, which held the 2011 Summer Universiade.

The bid team claims the country is "ready" having previously hosted major sporting events and insists the tournament will not only bring large crowds of passionate fans to the arenas, but will also be followed by millions through the latest innovations in digital technology, sport presentation and broadcasting.

The Chinese Basketball Association League is now attracting some of the world’s best players, with the United States’ Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis and Gilbert Arenas some of those to have made the move to China in recent years.

Among the China 2019 delegation is chairman Jiandong Zhang, representing the host cities, and Yu Zaiqing, vice-president of both the International Olympic Committee and Chinese Olympic Committee.

"We look forward to have the opportunity to tell the members of the Central Board how much we have this project at heart and how much we want the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China," said Yu.

"We have worked really hard over the past months to prepare for this final presentation.

"China has a strong passion for basketball and by organising the most successful FIBA World Cup ever we hope to contribute to the development of the sport around the world.

"We really hope to convince and come back home with good news."

The two main cities proposed by rivals the Philippines are Manila, the country’s capital, and Cebu City.

The Philippines bid has received full support at all levels from the country's Government.

Every Philippine Cabinet Secretary has signed a memorandum which outlines the wide-ranging legislatory, financial and operational guarantees the Government is providing in an aim to ensure the successful hosting of the tournament.

A Government working group has also been established, forming a part of the Local Organising Committee that, in association with the FIBA, is set to manage all aspects of a Philippines-hosted tournament.

The group would work throughout the build-up and staging of the event, acting as a partner of the FIBA. 

"To host an event of the importance and prestige of a 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, it is essential to have the full support of all levels of Government," said Manuel V. Pangilinan, President of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (Basketball Federation of the Philippines). 

"The strong backing our bid team enjoys from Government is a significant strength, alongside the partnerships we have already established with the host cities and local sports federations.

"By bringing together both public and private sectors, we have already been able to deliver world-class infrastructure assets that will benefit the staging of every aspect of the tournament.

"We are proud that the whole country, from the basketball fans to Government to the private sector, is fully behind hosting a FIBA Basketball World Cup which can be truly transformational for the World Cup and the sport."

The Government’s department of budget and management has already committed a minimum of four per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in significant infrastructure investments over the next four years, increasing to five per cent of GDP in 2016. 

"The Philippines bid is grounded in a truly public-private partnership," added Pangilinan.

"The ongoing commitment of our Government, backed by a deep and diverse support base from the private sector, will help ensure the delivery of a world-class event through access to the very best resources, people and ideas before, during and after the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup."

Among the Philippines 2019 delegation will be eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.

Pacquiao will join Government officials and business executives in trying to persuade the FIBA to award the hosting rights to his native country. 


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