Basketball Australia, with the support of the New South Wales Government, is thrilled to announce the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2023 will be hosted in Sydney later this year.
Scheduled to take place from 26 June – 2 July at Quaycentre in Sydney Olympic Park, the event will see the most elite basketballers from across the Asia and Oceania region compete for gold and the touted championship title.
This will be the second consecutive year Sydney welcomes international teams and fans to its shores, after successfully hosting the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in September last year – which saw record crowds support the Seven Consulting Opals.
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The Opals, who are currently ranked second in Asia behind China and ahead of Japan, took home the bronze medal in 2021 when the event was last played in Jordan.
Basketball Australia CEO, Matt Scriven said having the opportunity to host yet another world class event was a coup for Australia and New South Wales.
“This will be the first time Australia has hosted the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup and we’re incredibly honoured that the best basketballers from across our region will make their way to Sydney to compete on our home soil,” Scriven said.
“Following the success of last year’s FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, which saw us achieve record crowds in Sydney, we know women’s basketball has a highly engaged audience in New South Wales and participation keeps growing.
“With our women’s national team currently ranked second in Asia, this will be a fantastic competition and we hope all sports fans from around Australia will travel to Sydney to cheer on the green and gold and help create a lasting legacy for our sport.”
Seven Consulting Opals Captain, Tess Madgen, said she can’t wait to pull on the green and gold once again in front of a passionate home crowd.
“The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup last year in Sydney was incredible and it’s great to be back here again today announcing that the Asia Cup will be here in June,” Madgen said.
“Playing in front of sold-out home crowds was definitely an advantage and we will be looking to use that again at the Asia Cup.
“The competition will be fierce with China and Japan in the mix so we will have to bring our A game. The fans are in for some intense, physical basketball and I can’t wait to step out on the court and represent the green and gold again.”
Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the decision to host the tournament in Sydney is a direct result of the NSW Government’s track record of successfully hosting international sporting competitions including the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
“Record crowds at the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup and a deep passion for the sport has seen Sydney again selected to host another major global sporting tournament,” Mr Henskens said.
“The 2023 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup will see the region’s leading basketball nations battle it out for gold at Sydney Olympic Park and give Sydney’s passionate basketball fans the chance to again get behind the Opals.”
To keep up to date with all the latest news, be sure to follow Basketball Australia and FIBA Women’s Asia Cup via social media.
About the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup
The FIBA Women’s Asia Cup is the premier women’s national team basketball competition that brings together the best teams from the Asia/Oceania region. Taking place every two years, 2023 will mark the 30th edition of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup.
The inaugural FIBA Women’s Asia Cup took place in Seoul, Korea in 1965 with the hosts emerging as the first champions after beating rivals Japan in the Final. To date, Korea has won 12 of the 29 editions, China eleven and current reigning champions, Japan, hold six titles – including the last five in a row.
In the spirit of reconciliation Basketball Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.