Bengaluru: India will host two major international basketball tournaments later this year, the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) announced here on Sunday.
The FIBA Women’s Asia Cup will be held here from July 23 to 29, and the FIBA U-16 Women’s Asian Championship at Hyderabad from Oct. 22 to 28. The last time India hosted a big-ticket basketball tournament was in 2009, when the BFI was allotted the same two events.
“It is a matter of great pride that we are conducting these events,” said BFI President K. Govindaraj. “The best teams in Asia are taking part. It has been very long since Indian fans last got to watch a major tournament.”
A total of 14 teams, including New Zealand and Australia, ranked fourth in the world, will compete in the Women’s Asia Cup. Matches will be played at two venues in Bengaluru, the Sree Kanteerava and Koramangala indoor stadia.
“We have begun preparations already,” said Govindaraj. “A new wooden floor has been laid at the Kanteerava indoor stadium at a cost of Rs. 1 crore. The air-conditioning will be fixed next week. We will shortly upgrade the players’ change-rooms as well. The Koramangala stadium will also get wooden or synthetic flooring. FIBA will conduct an inspection in the first week of March. All work will be completed by April.”
Govindaraj and Chander Mukhi Sharma, the BFI Secretary, also revealed plans for a new National league for men, to begin later this year. The details were being worked out, they said, with an announcement to be made in March.
