Basketball House surprised fans in Foshan

　　The opening ceremony of Basketball House in Wanda Plaza, Nanhai on Saturday morning marked 28 days to go before the start of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019. The opening ceremony aimed to welcome the Naismith Trophy - named in honor of basketball's inventor, Dr James Naismith in the global Trophy Tour which will make its stop in Foshan to provide opportunities for mass fans to be close to the Basketball World Cup Trophy. Representatives of the International Basketball Federation such as Guo Xiaochen attended the ceremony.

The opening ceremony of Basketball House was held in Wanda Plaza, Nanhai on 3 August. (photo by Fu Shihe)

　　The 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup will be held from August 31 to September 15 in eight Chinese cities, namely Beijing, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Shenzhen, Foshan, Dongguan. In Foshan, ten games including those of Group D (the First Round), Italy, Serbia, Angola and the Philippines and Group I (the Second Round) will take place in the Foshan International Sports and Cultural Center.

　　As a micro basketball museum, Basketball House tells not only the history of basketball development and the stories of basketball stars, but also provides mass fans with the opportunity to be close to the Trophy. Visitors also have the chance to join in the interactive experience and see the basketball performance.

Children playing mini-basketball. (photo by Fu Shihe)

　　Since May, Naismith Trophy has embarked on a journey across the globe for the first time, making stops in a total of 25 countries. From 14 August to 16 August, the Touphy will make its visit to several scenic spots in Foshan such as the ancient temple Zu Miao, Nanfeng Ancient Kiln, then returned to the House in 16 August.

　　According to the director of the Bureau of Culture, Television and Broadcasting, Tourism and Sports, Chen Xinwen, municipal party committee and the municipal government have paid high attention to the preparatory work of this star-studded event. For the time being. All the work progress orderly. It is estimated that until 17 this month, the court can be put into used with all its facilities acknowledged by FIBA. Authorities will also make sure that athletes’ registration, local security, event organization and capital fall into place. Meanwhile, a wide variety of promotional events are held to create an exciting atmosphere of the upcoming Trophy. To satisfy ticketing demand, more ticket offices will be built and the online ticketing speed will be improved to encourage more fans to go into the court.

Citizens bought T-shirt that with the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup logo printed on it. (photo by Fu Shihe)

　　It’s the first world-class event ever held in Foshan. In the competition, audience can see many Foshan elements, added Chen. Foshan has its own logo for this great event which was inspired by the archway of the ancient temple Zu Miao. During the event, various cultural activities such as lion dance and martial arts will be introduced into the court in the forms of warming-up and cheering squad.

　　（Source:Foshan China）