Saudi Arabia secures hosting rights for 2025 FIBA Asia Cup
The 2025 Asia Cup, organised by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), is set to take place in Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah.
FIBA’s official announcement marks a return for Saudi Arabia as the event’s host country, with the previous instance being in 1997 in Riyadh.
The Saudia Arabian team’s standout performance occurred in 1999, when they clinched a third-place finish in Fukuoka, Japan. Australia is the two-time defending champion, winning in Zouk Mikael, Lebanon, in 2017 and the postponed event in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2022.
“The return of the FIBA Asia Cup to Saudi Arabia for the first time in nearly three decades symbolises the Kingdom’s commitment to basketball’s growth and their passion for the sport,” said Hagop Khajirian, the executive director of FIBA’s regional office for Asia.
“We anticipate a remarkable event that not only showcases the best of the Asia Cup but also highlights Saudi Arabia’s remarkable journey.”
The groups are set! How do you feel about your squad’s road to #AsiaCup 2025? 🌟 pic.twitter.com/Mww56Z0dZC
— FIBA Asia Cup (@FIBAAsiaCup) September 19, 2023
Securing these rights aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy of positioning itself as a prominent host for major sporting events. The Kingdom has been awarded the rights for the upcoming finals of the Asian Football Confederation’s new Champions League Elite. Additionally, Saudi Arabia is on track to host the prestigious 2034 FIFA World Cup, having emerged as the sole bidder.
Recent reports suggested that FIFA may have influenced Australia not to bid for the 2034 World Cup, thereby ensuring Saudi Arabia’s unopposed bid. Within 72 hours of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation announcing its bid, over 70 FIFA member associations publicly pledged their support for the Kingdom. The bid also garnered official backing from AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa.
“Hosting Asian basketball’s prestigious event in the Kingdom is an extension to the international events organised by Saudi Arabia in various aspects and sectors,” Dr. Ghassan Tashkandi, President of the Saudi Basketball Federation, added.
“We in Saudi Arabia firmly believe that hosting prestigious sporting events like the FIBA Asia Cup provides us with an opportunity to grow the sport in the Kingdom and to showcase our basketball ambitions for the future.”
Image credit: FIBA
