Chen Xiaochun 654789759@qq.com THE FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Draw will take center stage in Shenzhen on March 16. The process of determining the groups and the road to being crowned world champion will be the headline act, but there are plenty more activities planned for the three-day basketball carnival, which will be a true celebration of FIBA’s flagship competition and of basketball. The event will gather global sporting icon and World Cup Ambassador Kobe Bryant, American best-selling singer/songwriter Jason Derulo, World Cup Ambassador Yao Ming, high-ranking officials from FIBA, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and the eight host cities, and representatives from the 32 participating national teams, including China captain Yi Jianlian. Special guests will include Yang Chaoyue, a member of Chinese girl group Rocket Girls 101, and former U.S. national team player and Chinese Basketball Association star Stephon Marbury. FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Draw Bryant, Yao and Derulo will headline the star-studded show, which will be held in front of 8,000 spectators at Shenzhen Bay Sports Center on March 16. The draw will start at 6:30 p.m. and be streamed live on FIBA’s YouTube channel so that fans around the world can find out, in real time, what the path will be for each of the 32 participating teams to reach the final Sept. 15 in Beijing, where the winner will emerge with basketball’s biggest prize — the FIBA Basketball World Cup trophy. Bryant will help carry out the draw, while Derulo will perform some of his biggest hits throughout the night. Unveiling of 2019 official game ball On the eve of the draw, FIBA and longstanding global partner Molten will come together to exclusively reveal the ball that will be used by the world’s top stars at the World Cup. Draw Festival Basketball fans will have a chance to experience the charm of basketball and the passion of the FIBA Basketball World Cup at the draw carnival to be held March 16 and 17 at Nanshan Cultural and Sports Center in Shenzhen. Entrance is free of charge, and this will be the place to experience and enjoy plenty of great basketball activities around the draw. The draw carnival features a total of six highlights, including basketball games, a cheerleading competition, music party, mouth-watering delicacies, basketball activities, and most excitingly, close contact with the trophy of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019. During the two-day event, the local organizing committee of Shenzhen as a host city will invite 16 select basketball teams to play games and compete to be crowned champion, presenting exciting games to fans. The second highlight of the draw carnival is a cheerleading competition. Eight cheerleading teams will bring the audience energetic and enthusiastic cheerleading performances. The organizer has invited Shenzhen Cheetah Cheerleading Team to perform. A music feast will entertain basketball fans during the two-day carnival, staging one concert after another for the audience, ranging from electronic music to rock and roll, folk songs and other live performances. A carnival is not complete without special delicacies. A food zone will be set up, where the local delicacies are sure to tantalize your taste buds. An array of basketball activities, including a funny game experience, basketball skills contest, and VR basketball, will engage all of the fans and show the charm of the basketball world. The last, but most exciting, highlight of the draw festival is the chance to have close contact with the trophy. The public will have a chance to see the FIBA Basketball World Cup trophy with their own eyes. For the first time in its history, basketball’s ultimate prize has been made almost entirely out of gold and features a roll of honor, listing all of the past world champions. The trophy stands 60 centimeters high — 13 more than the previous one — ranking it among the tallest sports trophies. Draw Festival: Time: 11 a.m.- 9 p.m., March 16 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., March 17 Venue: Nanshan Cultural and Sports Center, Shenzhen Skyline Light Show On the night of March 15, March 16 and March 17, Shenzhen’s skyline will be lit up to celebrate the FIBA Basketball World Cup. The eight-minute display will take place every hour from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. each day. The prime positions from which to watch the show will be: Star Light Bridge, Talent Park, 1 Dongbin Road in Nanshan District. The draw will also serve as an opportunity to bring together members of FIBA’s family as well as the wider community of basketball stakeholders. They will all come together for a gala dinner March 15, before FIBA’s Partners meet for a brunch March 16 and FIBA’s National Member Federations hold a workshop March 17. | 