TOKYO: China has won the right to host the 2019 basketball World Cup, beating the Philippines in Friday’s vote in Tokyo.
The sport’s international ruling body FIBA chose basketball-mad China following a presentation by the country’s delegation, helped by former NBA giant Yao Ming.
“I’m very excited to bring the 2019 World Cup to China,” said the one-time Houston Rockets great, who represented China at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
“I’m sure millions of Chinese fans share the same joy. I know the feeling to play in your home country and I’m sure that same feeling will encourage many young athletes to play basketball.
“We have to make sure we deliver on the promises we’ve made,” added Yao, arguably his country’s biggest sporting celebrity.
“We have to develop the level of basketball in China, in the national team, in the professional league, in high school and college.”
The Philippines lost out, meanwhile, despite the support of boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, himself an avid basketball fan, who was on hand in Tokyo to press his country’s case.
China beats Philippines in vote for FIBA World Cup
China beats Philippines in vote for FIBA World Cup
Al-Hilal win to cut Al-Nassr’s lead at the top to two points
- Reigning champions Al- Ittihad beat Neom 3-1 to end the year on a high after difficult title defence
- Leaders dropped their first points of the season on Tuesday after a 2-2 draw against Ettifaq
RIYADH: Al-Hilal have closed the gap on leaders Al-Nassr lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League table to two points after beating Al-Khollod 3-1 on New Year’s Eve.
The win saw Al-Hilal leapfrog Al-Taawoun into second place they now have 29 points from 11 matches, just two behind Al-Nassr, who on Tuesday dropped their first points of the season after a 2-2 draw with Ettifaq.
Al-Hilal took the lead through Sergei Milinkovic-Savic after 45 minutes there was still enough stoppage time for Ramiro Enrique to equalize form the penalty spot. Two second half goals from Theo Hernandez secured a vital three points for Al-Hila.
Earlier in the day reigning SPL champions Al-Itttihad beat hosts Neom 3-1 to go fifth in the table and end the year on n relative high after a difficult defence of their title so far in this campaign.
Roger Fernandes opened the scoring on 14 minutes from Steven Bergwijn’s assist, but Said Benrahma equalized 13 minutes later for teams to go into the break on equal terms.
Second half goals by Bergwijn and Ahmed Al-Ghamdi secured a morale-boosting win for Al-Ittihad.
In Wednesday’s other match, Al-Qadsiah beat hosts Al-Shabab 3-2 to stay fifth in the table.
