As the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers were raging on, the Launching Ceremony of Foshan International Sports & Cultural Center was held in the afternoon on December 2, which marked the birth of an iconic sports stadium in Foshan. Now, it is stretching its arms to embrace the FIBA Basketball World Cup, the most far-reaching sports event around the globe in 2019.
(The Launching Ceremony of the International Sports & Cultural Center)
Burton Shipley, member of the central office of FIBA, Li Yingchuan, deputy director of General Administration of Sport of China, Wang Xuan, secretary of the party committee of Basketball Management Center of General Administration of Sport of China, Xin Lancheng, chairman of FIBA Asia, Lu Yi, Foshan municipal party secretary, Li Yalin, deputy secretary general of Guangdong Provincial Government, Wang Yuping, director of Guangdong Provincial Sports Bureau, Yao Ming, chairman of Chinese Basketball Association, Chen Jie, vice chairman and secretary general of the Organizing Committee of 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Liu Kejun, vice chairman of Chinese Basketball Association and chairman of Guangdong Basketball Association, Guo Wenhai, member of the Standing Committee of Foshan and secretary of district committee of Shunde District, Guo Changyong, member of the Standing Committee of Foshan and director of Publicity Department, Liu Junwen, member of the Standing Committee of Foshan and deputy mayor, and Zhong Naixiong, honorary president of board of directors of Nenking Group, attended this event.
(Liu Kejun’s presenting a signed jersey to Zhong Naixiong)
Liu Junwen, member of the Standing Committee of Foshan and deputy mayor, and Wang Xuan, secretary of the party committee of Basketball Management Center of General Administration of Sport of China, addressed the ceremony. Afterwards, leaders from FIBA, General Administration of Sport of China, Guangdong Provincial Government and Foshan Municipal Government pressed their hands on the screen to officially launch the arena.
(Liu Junwen addressed the ceremony)
(Wang Xuan addressed the ceremony)
The International Sports & Cultural Center, known as the main venue of Foshan Division, 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, is fully invested and built by Nenking Group. Also, this world-class intelligent venue is one of the home arenas for Times China Loong Lions. Covered with a gross floor area of 155,000 sq.m with 15,000 seats as well as 50,000 sq.m office area, it serves as a commercial complex that integrates sports, entertainment and business together. On November 10, 2018, the Closing Ceremony of the 27th China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival was held at this venue; on December 2, the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers kicked off here as well.
(All attendants at the launching ceremony)
Located in the CBD of Foshan New Town and the core region of the Greater Bay Area, the International Sports & Cultural Center leaves its impact on all cities within GBA via its superb transportation network. Besides the sports arena, there are first-rate office buildings, shopping malls and luxury hotels around to serve the crowd. The arena has various shows, games, exhibitions and annual meetings all the year round, standing under the spotlight in the Greater Bay Area.
Being one of the most advanced sports facilities with the biggest size in southern China, the International Sports & Cultural Center will be a new platform for regional collaboration. As the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup starts, it is time for the venue to show itself to the entire world and facilitate the regional development of the Greater Bay Area.