José Luis Sáez Believes 2014 Tournament Will Make $416M Economic Impact On Spain

Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB) President José Luis Sáez said that the 2014 FIBA World Cup basketball tournament in Spain will generate more than $416M, according to José Félix Díaz of EL CONFIDENCIAL. At a Europe Press breakfast Wednesday, Sáez said, "The World Cup will be an event that has an impact of €316M ($416M), and we will demonstrate that we are a top-level event organizer. It will be the best basketball tournament in history and not only for the six sites, but also because all of Spain is behind the project. There is also a legacy for the whole world. I want Madrid to be able to host the 2020 Olympics. Madrid has given proof that it knows how to organize events of this type better than anyone."

SAEZ WANTS EVENT TO OPEN IN AFRICA: Sáez has asked FIBA to allow the first game of the World Cup to be played in Africa, and there are indications it could be in Dakar, Senegal, where Spain has its House of Spain project, which looks to educate more than 300 impoverished children (EL CONFIDENCIAL, 5/8).