The Australian Opals’ quest to climb the world rankings will proceed in June and July when Sydney hosts the 2023 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup.
Fresh off a bronze medal finally 12 months’s World Cup in Sydney, the Opals return to the Harbour City to tackle Asia’s finest girls’s basketballers.
The event will see the eight main nations from Asia and Oceania compete for the title of regional champion on the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre from June 26 to July 2.
The Opals, who’re at the moment ranked second in Asia behind China and forward of Japan, took residence the bronze medal in 2021 when the occasion was final performed in Jordan.
This 12 months’s Asia Cup will embody a probable eye-watering rematch between world No. 2 and world No. 3, China and Australia.
Opals captain Tess Madgen expects the Asia Cup to be one other cutthroat battle between the area’s best feminine basketballers.
“The competition will be fierce with China and Japan in the mix so we will have to bring our A-game,” mentioned Madgen, who confirmed she’ll be match for the Asia Cup regardless of struggling a season-ending knee harm taking part in for the Melbourne Boomers within the WNBL.
“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.”
It would be the second consecutive 12 months Sydney welcomes worldwide groups and followers to its shores, after efficiently internet hosting the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in September final 12 months – which noticed document crowds assist the Opals.
Madgen believes the Australians can capitalise on the house court docket benefit, identical to they did on the World Cup to safe bronze.
“The 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,” she mentioned.
“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.”
Basketball Australia CEO, Matt Scriven says having the chance to host one other world class even is a serious coup for Australia and NSW.
“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 mentioned.
“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 NSW 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.”
Minister for Sport Alister Henskens mentioned the choice to host the event in Sydney is a direct results of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s observe document of efficiently internet hosting worldwide sporting competitions together with 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 mentioned.
“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.
“NSW is Australia’s undisputed premier major events State, and with this tournament and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 commencing in July, it’s shaping up to be a bumper winter of women’s sport.”
About the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup:
The FIBA Women’s Asia Cup is the premier girls’s nationwide group basketball competitors that brings collectively one of the best groups from the Asia/Oceania area. Taking place each two years, 2023 will mark the thirtieth version of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup.
The inaugural FIBA Women’s Asia Cup came about in Seoul, Korea in 1965 with the hosts rising as the primary champions after beating rivals Japan within the Final. To date, Korea has gained 12 of the 29 editions, China eleven and present reigning champions, Japan, maintain six titles – together with the final 5 in a row.
Originally revealed as Asia Cup basketball 2023: Sydney to host event as Opals brace for robust competitors
Source: www.news.com.au
