By Niki Bakouli/ bakouli@eurohoops.net
After a series of speculations about the possible FIBA choices for the world cup wildcards, the world federation announced officially the criteria that will be used in order to pick the four teams which will be included in the tournament. So here what it takes in order to get a wild card, according to the official press release.
“Sporting and Promotional Aspects
– The popularity of basketball in the country
– The quality and sporting results of the national teams of the country
– The hosting or bidding for hosting of past FIBA events
– The impact of a participation at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in the country in view of the country’s basketball development
– The commitment of the best players from the country to participate at the FIBA Basketball World Cup
Economic Aspects
– The involvement of local television and corporate sector in the domestic and international basketball competitions
– The importance of the country’s market to FIBA’s commercial partners
– The importance of the country to the Organisers of the FIBA Basketball World Cup
Governance Aspects
– Compliance with the Internal Regulations and General Statutes of FIBA
– The quality of the work of the National Federation
– Governmental support to the National Federation
– Participation in FIBA and/or FIBA Zone activities, commissions, etc…”
There is also one interesting note by FIBA: “National Federations applying to have their national team considered for a wild card can make donations. The amounts collected will be used for the worldwide promotion of basketball through FIBA’s International Basketball Foundation (IBF)”.
The announcement of the four national teams which will receive the wildcards will be made on the first weekend of February 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. However “the central board might decide to shorten the list of candidates at its next meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina on the weekend of 23-24 November 2013”.