The FIBA Intercontinental Cup is changing format. The world governing body and Sport Singapore have agreed a three-year partnership that expands the event to include Asia for the first time. The Singapore Sports Hub will become the first sports facility to host the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, as it will provide the stage for the 33rd edition of the event, which will be held from 21 to 24 September 2023.
The Intercontinental Cup will be held in September to fit more effectively into the calendar of domestic and continental leagues and the schedule of international players, with the aim of better accommodating the participating clubs.
An expansion will also take place in the context of the participating teams as the clubs that will take part in September in Singapore increase from four to six. A Chinese club will be added, jointly selected by FIBA and the Chinese Basketball Association. The sixth team that will participate will be announced by FIBA in the future. The four teams are the Basketball Africa League (BAL) champion, which is held in collaboration between FIBA and the NBA, the 2022-23 Basketball Champions League champion. The equivalent of the 2022-23 America’s Basketball Champions League and NBA G League Ignite, the team was founded in 2020 to prepare top young players who have prospects to be selected in the NBA draft.
“This deal serves as both the realization of a basketball dream that dates back generations, and a launching pad into the future era of world club basketball. Singapore, as a melting pot of cultures, is perhaps the ideal place to bring this vision to life“, said the general secretary of FIBA, Andreas Zaglis.
“The first edition of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup in 1966 was an inspiring event designed by visionaries. They envisioned an event that would help unite different cultures through basketball, but only dared to dream that one day this event would grow to the point where clubs from all corners of the globe would compete in it.“, added Mr. Zaglis.
“The FIBA Intercontinental Cup is an important showcase for top teams outside the NBA and reflects the strength of professional basketball leagues around the worldNBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum said. “We are excited that NBA G League Ignite and the upcoming third season champions of the Basketball Africa League will be represented at this year’s tournament in Singapore, where we recently opened an office and where there is growing interest in the gameadded Mr. Tatum.
“Building on the success of the FIBA 3X3 Asia Cup 2022, we are delighted to host the FIBA Intercontinental Cup which will offer fans world-class, high-interest action. Ranked in the top five sports by our survey basketball has always been a popular sport among Singaporeanssaid To Boon Yee, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Sport Singapore.
“In September 2023, Singapore will once again showcase its prowess and innovation on the international sporting stage as we welcome athletes, officials and fans from around the world. The FIBA Intercontinental Cup will be an important addition to our portfolio of events that promote our country’s sport with social and economic objectivesadded Mr. Toh.
“We are delighted to partner with FIBA to host and organize the first FIBA Asia Intercontinental Cup here in Singaporesaid Kek Swee Kwan, CEO of Singapore Sports Hub. “Hosting the FIBA Intercontinental Cup confirms Singapore Sports Hub’s position as a destination for sporting events in the Asia-Pacific“, he added. “We look forward to welcoming teams, officials and fans to the Singapore Sports Hub this September».
Source: Sport Fm
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