BFI to Host Two FIBA International Events in India during 2017; National League also Announced

·         The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has allotted two FIBA Asia Championships to the BFI – FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2017 and the FIBA U-16 Women Asian Championship 2017. 

·         The FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2017 will be held from 23^rd to 29^th July 2017 in Bengaluru, Karnataka; while the FIBA U-16 Women Asian Championship 2017 will be held from 22^nd to 28^th October in Hyderabad, Telangana.

·         There will be 14 teams participating in both the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup and the U16 Women’s Asian Championship, with 8 teams in Division A (which include new Oceania teams Australia and New Zealand) and 6 in lower Division B. India is in Division B in both the Senior and U16 events.

·         This will mark the first time since 2009 that a FIBA Asia Championship will be held on Indian soil. 

·         BFI President Shri K Govindaraj also announced a National League for Men to be held later this year.

Bengaluru, 5^th January 2017:  The Basketball Federation of India (BFI) is proud to announce that they have been allotted to host two international events in 2017- the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup and FIBA U-16 Women’s Asian Championship.  This will be the first time since 2009 that India has hosted a major International Basketball Federation (FIBA) event.  The FIBA Women’s Asia Cup will be held from 23^rd to 29^th July 2017 in Bengaluru, Karnataka while the FIBA U-16 Women’s Asian Championship will be held from 22^nd to 28^th October 2017 in Hyderabad, Telangana.

These important announcements were made at a press conference held in Bengaluru earlier this afternoon, that was presided by BFI President Sri K Govindaraj, Secretary-General Sri Chander Mukhi Sharma, and Sri Om Prakash, President of the Karnataka State Basketball Association & IPS (Retd.)

FIBA has allotted this event to India with utmost confidence and support, based on the steady increase in on-court quality of the Indian National Teams over the past two (2) years since the new leadership of the BFI, led by President K. Govindaraj and Secretary General Chander Mukhi Sharma, took over. 

Over these last two (2) years, the Men’s National Teams have been breaking historic ceilings by making the quarterfinals and eventually placing 8^th in the 28^th FIBA Asia Championship in 2015 and again making the quarterfinals and placing an all time best 7^th Place in the FIBA Asia Challenge 2016.  With these two events being hosted in India, the BFI looks to promote and develop the Women’s National Teams to reach the same success as the Men’s sides. 

In 2009, the BFI was allotted the same two Championships – the 1^st FIBA Asia U-16 Championship for Girls in Pune, Maharashtra and the 23^rd FIBA Asia Championship for Women in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.  The opportunity to host both events again will prepare the BFI to begin hosting home and away FIBA Asia Qualifiers, which are scheduled to begin in November 2017. 

Mr. K Govindaraj, who headed the bidding process, expressed his excitement, “It has been far too long for Indian fans to get to see their homegrown talent compete against the best in Asia.  While I am very excited and proud to be bringing a FIBA Asia event back to India, our work has just begun.  We will ensure that our National Teams are optimally prepared to compete with the top teams of Asia.”

Mr. Chander Mukhi Sharma further added, “We are grateful for FIBA to provide us with this opportunity and we will ensure to put on a world-class event to justify their confidence and support in the BFI.  All the Indian basketball community should be excited and proud of this achievement.” 

There will be 14 teams participating in both the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup and the U16 Women’s Asian Championship, with 8 teams in Division A (which include new Oceania teams Australia and New Zealand) and 6 in lower Division B.

India is in Division B in both the Senior and U16 events.

Mr Govindaraj also made the initial announcement regarding the conduct of a National League for Men later this year. Further details will be made public by March.

About the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup

The FIBA Women’s Asia Cup was previously referred to as the FIBA Asia Championship for Women and has been conducted regularly since 1965.  The competition is held every other year on odd years (2011, 2013, 2015, etc.).  The last edition of the event was held in Wuhan, China where the hosts China lost in the Championship Game to Japan.  The overall medal leaders are the South Korean National Team who have 12 Gold medals.   In the 2015 edition, India failed to win a game, being relegated to Level 2 for the upcoming Championship. 

About the FIBA U-16 Women’s Asian Championship

The FIBA U-16 Women’s Asian Championship was previously referred to as the FIBA Asia U-16 Championship for Girls.  This will be the 6^th competition for the U-16 Girls category hosted under the aegis of FIBA / FIBA Asia.  The competition is every other year on odd years (2009, 2011, 2013, etc.).  The last iteration was held in Medan, Indonesia where China won the Gold and Japan the Silver.  The Indian team failed to produce a victory during the event, being relegated to Level 2 for the upcoming Championship. 

About Basketball Federation of India

The Basketball Federation of India or BFI is the governing and controlling body of basketball in India, and is responsible for the development and promotion of the sport at all levels. BFI has been involved in conducting camps, clinics, events, and training sessions at its academies for the development of basketball. BFI came into being in 1935 and took complete control over Indian basketball in 1950. Prior to that time, the Indian Olympic Association handled the conduct of Indian basketball championships. Since 1950, the BFI has been conducting various such championships, from the grassroots to senior team participation in international tournaments. In addition, the BFI has been responsible for the establishment of strong sub-junior and junior level programs. The BFI has to its credit produced several international players of repute, among them 17 have been bestowed with the honour of Arjuna Awards. Earlier in June 2015, 19-year-old Satnam Singh Bhamara made history by becoming the first Indian national to be drafted by an NBA team, when he was selected by the Dallas Mavericks. More information at www.basketballfederationindia.org