Transportation will be the biggest challenge when the country hosts the FIBA Basketball World Cup from 25 August to 10 September.
World Cup event director David Crocker said moving players from the hotels to their respective competition and training venues had been their biggest challenge due to the tremendous traffic in Metro Manila and nearby areas.
“Transportation is the biggest challenge,” Crocker said following the Invitational Games organized by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas last Wednesday.
“There are a lot of people who try to move around Metro Manila at the same time as we’d like to. We had great cooperation with the Highway Patrol Group to help us work out the best routes and clear the traffic.”
“But we’re also conscious about not creating a dilemma for the general public as well. So, we’re trying to find a smooth way to figure it all out. Transport is absolutely the biggest challenge.”
FIBA Basketball World Cup deputy event director Erika Dy said while the simulation of transportation from the Grand Hyatt Manila in Taguig City to the Smart Araneta Coliseum was smooth, the ride to the Philippine Arena was something they hope will be faster.
“With regard to transportation that was simulated yesterday (Tuesday), we had buses from the Grand Hyatt to Araneta as well as to the Philippine Arena, even from Conrad to MOA. We had to test that even though it was a very short distance. That went well,” Dy said, recognizing the effort of the SBP for organizing the Invitational Games where they had an idea on the potential challenges in their World Cup hosting.
“The Philippine Arena ride was still a challenge, we’re still hoping to save up a few more minutes,” Dy said.
