Yao Ming speaks during the unveiling of logo for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup China in Shanghai yesterday.(Xinhua)
The organizers of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup China unveiled the tournament logo in Shanghai yesterday.
China is hosting the tournament for the first time. It will be held from August 31 to September 15, 2019.
Held every four or five years, the 2019 edition will be expanded from 24 to 32 teams for the first time.
It will be played in eight Chinese cities — Beijing, Shanghai, Foshan, Wuhan, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Nanjing and Guangzhou.
The logo is inspired by Peking Opera, one of the most visible cultural icons of China. It shows two flying dragons battling in their quest for a shining pearl.
The "pearl" is the Naismith Trophy.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann, Shanghai Vice Mayor Weng Tiehui and Chinese Basketball Association President Yao Ming, who is also the ambassador of the tournament.
From November, 80 teams will compete over a two-year qualifying period to vie for 31 spots and join the host nation in the tournament.
