Ora è ufficiale: i mondiali di pallacanestro femminile del 2022 avranno luogo in Australia. Il comunicato della FIBA ha così affidato i diritti per ospitare il massimo campionato femminile alla federazione australiana. La nazione oceanica ha avuto la meglio sulla Russia in finale e la decisione è stata presa dal comitato centrale della FIBA in via telematica.
Sarà la seconda volta che l’Australia ospita un campionato mondiale femminile: era già successo le 1994 quando a trionfare fu il Brasile, vincente in finale contro la Cina.
Questo il comunicato ufficiale della FIBA:
MIES (Switzerland) – FIBA has awarded the hosting rights for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 to Basketball Australia.
Basketball Australia and the Russian Basketball Federation were the two finalists bidding to host FIBA’s women’s flagship event two years from now.
The decision was taken by FIBA’s Central Board today, which took place via video conference, having both candidates submit their bids and then each give presentations to the Central Board.
This will be the second time that Basketball Australia will host FIBA’s Women’s Basketball World Cup, having done so in 1994.
Hamane Niang, President of FIBA, said: “The Central Board saw two excellent presentations today from two basketball strong National Federations. I would like to congratulate them on their outstanding work and the effort and commitment which has gone into their bids. There can only be one host country for this event, and for 2022 it will be Australia.
“We look forward to the biggest women’s event in basketball taking place in Sydney, and also the 12-month qualification period that will take place to be among the 12 teams playing in Australia.”
Andreas Zagklis, FIBA Secretary General, said: “I would like to congratulate Basketball Australia on their successful bid. Australia really is a powerhouse in basketball, with the women coming in second at the previous FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in 2018.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for the city of Sydney to both promote and take women’s basketball to the next level. We witnessed many successes at the last World Cup, and I am sure that in 2022 we will see even more. We are looking forward to a fruitful cooperation over the next two years in planning for this pinnacle event.”
The iconic Australian city of Sydney will host the event over 10 days in September and October 2022. The tournament will be played across two venues, both of which are located in Sydney Olympic Park. The sport-loving nation of Australia will get to witness firsthand 144 of the best players in the world, from 12 international teams in 38 games.
