Another major international women's tournament will be held in Australia with the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2023 to be hosted in Sydney later this year.
Thanks to Basketball Australia, with the support of the New South Wales Government, the event is scheduled to take place from 26 June – 2 July at Quaycentre in Sydney Olympic Park. The event will see several Victorians in the Opals team take on a number of elite basketballers from across Asia and the Oceania region to compete for gold.
Coming off the successful hosting of the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in September 2022, which saw record crowds, Sydney has been earmarked to host another major tournament.
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.
“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.
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.”
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.
