Smart, FIBA formalize four-year global partnership

 

New collab.

As announced, Smart Communications, Inc. confirmed its global partnership with FIBA for the next four years.

The partnership sees FIBA grant exclusive rights to SMART for the telecommunications worldwide. It also enables key commercial rights across all FIBA competitions, including the upcoming Qualifying Tournaments for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the various Continental Cups and Youth Cups, as well as the two biggest national team competitions in the FIBA World Cup for women in 2022 and the men in 2023.

Speaking of the FIBA World Cup, which the Philippines is co-hosting alongside Japan and Indonesia from August 25 to September 10, SMART is looking to tap into its experience using 5G technology it first utilized during the Philippine Basketball Association's All-Filipino Cup that took place at the bubble inside Clark.

The aforementioned bubbled showcased TV cameras equipped with 5G to help capture the on-court action efficiently. A 94-foot-wide LED screen beside the court allows the players to see spectators, which has been temporarily not allowed to be present in-person due to the pandemic. Smart has also pioneered the use of wireless 360 cameras powered by 5G in the PBA bubble.

Both FIBA and SMART are expected to work together to create a wide array of exciting experiences both athletes and fans can partake worldwide in the run-up as well as in the competition proper.

SMART will also support FIBA's latest campaign, the "Don't Miss A Beat Challenge." Athletes from Gilas Pilipinas, as well as from recent PBA AFC finalists TNT Tropang Giga, the NLEX Road Warriors, NCAA Season 95 runners-up San Beda, and UAAP Season 82 champions Ateneo de Manila University will participate in the challenge, with celebrities also getting involved.

PLDT Chairman and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Chairman Emeritus Manuel V. Pangilinan shares, "I hope all of us will take pride and joy in not only seeing the World Cup logo but in hosting the World Cup. With Christmas just around the corner, and the pandemic still looming over us, it's great to have good news that will lift our spirits."

PLDT Chief Revenue Officer, SMART President and CEO, and newly-minted Philippine Olympic Committee First Vice President Alfredo S. Panlilio adds, "This is a huge step in bringing our athletes closer to the world stage. PLDT and Smart have always been at the forefront when it comes to supporting Filipino athletes and their journey to greatness."

FIBA Secretary-General Andreas Zagklis had this to say about the partnership: "We are extremely pleased to welcome Smart Communications Inc. as a FIBA Global Partner. Joining forces with a leading telecommunications company such as Smart will bring unrivalled opportunities in the lead up to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. Giving our fans the best ever experience, whether at home or in arenas, is a crucial aspect of any FIBA event, and even more so for this showcase competition. We are looking forward to working with Smart to harness their state-of-the-art technologies and 5G capabilities to deliver the most connected and engaging FIBA Basketball World Cup to date."