BEIJING: Fans have voted for “Son of Dreams” to be the official mascot of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.
This was made official on Wednesday – 500 days before the first-ever 32-team edition of FIBA’s flagship competition tips off on August 31, 2019 – when Son of Dreams was unveiled during a ceremony at the Wukesong Indoor Stadium in China’s capital.
Son of Dreams was brought to life for the first time, by way of a hologram and video. Beijing’s vice mayor Zhang Jiandong presented a prize to Yan Xu, the person behind the design.
The selection of Son of Dreams as China 2019’s Official Mascot was the culmination of a unique process by FIBA. Designers and professional agencies right across the globe were invited to submit their design proposals. After these came through in their hundreds, the number was narrowed down to 10.
On January 23, a panel consisting of FIBA, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and professors from the Chinese Central Academy of Fine Art selected Son of Dreams, QiuQiu and Speed Tiger as the finalists during a Mascot Shortlist Ceremony held at the Wanda Han Show Theater in Wuhan, China. Thereafter, fans were invited to vote for their favorite out of the three. Voting took place all over the world, with 93% of votes coming from China.
Li Yingchuan, China’s vice Minister of Sports, said: “I believe the mascot will spread the idea of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 and the spirit of basketball to the rest of the world with its cute and vivid image and will play an important role in enhancing the influence of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.”
Hamane Niang, FIBA vice-president and FIBA Africa president, added: “I wish to thank the Local Organizing Committee for hosting this special event commemorating 500 days to the start of the FIBA Basketball World Cup on August 31, 2019. Our thanks also go out to Yan Xu, the person responsible for the winning design, all other designers who submitted proposals as well as the experts from the evaluation commission. We have all worked together to find the best possible mascot. In Son of Dreams, we are confident we have found a great friend and representative to accompany all fans on the Road to China 2019.”
Fans will have the opportunity to see Son of Dreams in the flesh for the first time on June 28 in Shenzhen.
