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RI aims to build squad for 2023 FIBA World Cup
Indonesia is focusing on training its national squad ahead of the 2023 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Basketball World Cup, which will be cohosted by Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines, marking the first time the championship event sees multiple hosts
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span>Indonesia is focusing on training its national squad ahead of the 2023 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Basketball World Cup, which will be cohosted by Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines, marking the first time the championship event sees multiple hosts.
On the road to the cup, Indonesia is also gearing up for the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in the Philippines in November and December as well as the FIBA Asia qualifiers in 2021.
Erick Thohir, president of the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) and member of the FIBA Central Board, told a presser on Friday that the 2023 edition would be the first time the cup is held in Asia consecutively, as Beijing is the host for this year’s championship.
He went on to say that FIBA had introduced a new home-away system that would allow fans in Indonesia to watch at home, rather than traveling back and forth. He added that the new system would attract many Indonesian viewers to the sport.
“Indonesia has been given the trust to hold such a great event,” said Erick, adding that it would deliver a “great result to the people of Indonesia”.
As of February, the Indonesian men’s team is ranked 85 in the FIBA world rankings, while the Philippines is ranked 31 and Japan 41. The top three in the rankings are the United States, Spain and France, respectively.
The Indonesian Basketball Association (Perbasi) said FIBA called on the Indonesian team to improve its performance over the next four years. As part of preparations for the 2023 Cup, FIBA and Perbasi created a blueprint to build the squad, which is expected to result in team growth by 2021.
He further stated that Perbasi was also looking to create new stars in Indonesian basketball, which led to the hiring Rajko Toroman of Serbia as the new head coach of the national squad.
Toroman, who previously coached the national teams of Iran, the Philippines and Jordan, said he was “very enthusiastic” and that he wanted the “Indonesian team to be world champions”.
He admitted that the task would be challenging and might be “the hardest in my life” but he hoped to put basketball on “the first page of the sports newspapers” in the country.
Perbasi secretary-general Budisatrio Djiwandono said Indonesia had shown consistency in recent performances by snatching two silvers in the past two editions of the SEA Games.
However, to qualify for the 2023 Cup, Indonesia must finish within the top 10 in the 2021 qualifiers.
Budisatrio further said the Indonesian team would have to go the extra mile — including practicing during holidays and perhaps adjusting the national league schedule — to ensure it can stay competitive.
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— The writer is an intern at The Jakarta Post.
