House of Basketball opens in Shanghai as strategic agreement tips off with Luohe Sports

SHANGHAI (China) - A prestigious ceremony has taken place to celebrate the opening of the first FIBA House of Basketball - China in Shanghai, which will be operated exclusively by Luohe Sports. 

The FIBA House of Basketball - China, located in the Rucker Park sports complex, is expected to become a prominent basketball landmark and positively influence the country's huge number of existing and future fans of the sport. 

FIBA China and Luohe Sports signed a strategic agreement, with the organizations now working together to establish an increasing number of 'Houses of Basketball' in major cities across the country. 

Work will also be undertaken to develop basketball competitions, training and activities for basketball fans and players of all ages, as well as exploring the opportunity for cultural exchanges and other activities. 

FIBA Chief Operating Officer and FIBA China Legal Representative Patrick Mariller emphasized the importance of the partnership and said: "The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 was a resounding success, showcasing the immense popularity and significance of basketball in China. The event left a lasting legacy, further cementing basketball's importance in the region.

"Our cooperation with Luohe Sports will provide us with even more opportunities to jointly promote basketball culture, cultivate basketball talent and let more people feel the charm of basketball."

On the day of the ceremony, a highly anticipated new project of the Shanghai Luohe Sports Development Co., Ltd, the 'Rucker Park SSR' Sports and Entertainment Centre, was also unveiled and will become a well-known sports and entertainment landmark for the city of Shanghai.

Dai Fuqi, Chairman of Luohe Sports Group, commented: "As a well-known basketball venue brand under Luohe Sports Group, Rucker Park has always been committed to providing citizens with newer, richer and more interesting sports scenes. This cooperation with FIBA China is a great opportunity for Rucker Park to further upgrade.

"We will combine our experience in sports venue operation with FIBA's experience in events and youth training to create a professional experience, meet international standards, promote basketball projects, organize youth basketball events and bring more talent to Chinese basketball."

In addition to FIBA Chief Operating Officer Patrick Mariller and Chairman and CEO of Shanghai Luohe Sports Development Co. Dai Fuqi, the ceremony was also attended by Director of the Shanghai Sports Bureau Public Sports Management Centre Zheng Haobin, Deputy Party Secretary of the Xuhui District Sports Bureau Lin Fudong, FIBA China General Manager Kelvin Fang, FIBA China Head of Commercial and Communication Sam Yu and Chairman of China International Capital Corporation Shan Junbao.

The opening of the FIBA House of Basketball - China occurred during the same visit of a FIBA delegation that held highly productive strategic meetings with the General Administration of Sport of China and the Chinese Basketball Association.

FIBA