WUHAN, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- The 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup's Wuhan zone started its countdown in the central Chinese city of Wuhan on Thursday. Wuhan is the 4th city to start the World Cup countdown clock following Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanjing.

Chairman of the Coordinating Committee of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Burton Shipley attended the ceremony, and awarded Wuhan the host city plaque.

"We are looking forward to come to Wuhan in the next summer and to create happy basketball memories here," said Shipley.

"Wuhan is a city of athleticism, and has hosted many high-level basketball events in recent years. The start of countdown clock signifies that Wuhan's preparatory work for 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup is now entering the most critical stage," said Wang Shenshun, director of the Wuhan Sports Bureau.

According to the organizers, the Wuhan contest area will host 6 group stages and 4 play-offs during the World Cup. This will be the highest-level basketball competition that China's Hubei province has ever organized.

32 global teams will participate in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, which will take place in eight Chinese cities from Aug. 31-Sept. 15, 2019.