Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the decision to host the tournament in Sydney is a direct result of the NSW Liberal and Nationals 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.
“This year’s FIBA Women’s Asia Cup will include a likely eye-watering rematch between World Number Two and World Number Three, China and Australia.
“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.”
The tournament will see the eight leading nations from Asia and Oceania compete for the title of regional champion at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre from 26 June to 2 July.
Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said the 2023 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup secures NSW’s position as the premier major events and sports destination in Australia.
“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to bringing the biggest and best sports and major events to our doorstep, creating jobs and strengthening the local economy along the way,” Mr Franklin said.
With places still to be finalised, the 2023 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup is likely to feature FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Bronze Medalists Australia, World Cup Silver Medalists China as well as Japan and Korea.
Basketball Australia CEO, Matt Scriven said this will be the first time Australia has hosted the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup.
“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.”