BEIRUT (Lebanon) – The inaugural edition of the FIBA Women’s Basketball League Asia will take place in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, from 26-28 September 2024, the FIBA Regional Office announced on Friday, 6 September.
The FIBA WBL Asia, approved during the first Asia Board meeting of the 2023-2027 cycle in Dubai, UAE, marks a significant milestone in women’s basketball. This annual premier club competition aligns with FIBA’s strategic priority for the current four-year working cycle, “Women in Basketball,” and will play a pivotal role in advancing the development of women’s basketball across Asia.
The inaugural edition of WBL Asia will feature four teams from China, Japan, Chinese Taipei, and Indonesia. The hosts and WCBA Champions, Sichuan Yuanda Meile Basketball Club, will be joined by WJBL champions Fujitsu Red Wave, WSBL Champion Cathay Life, and Indonesia’s Surabaya Fever.
The teams will compete in a single round-robin format. The team with the best record in the Final Standings will win the inaugural edition of FIBA WBL Asia.
“The WBL Asia represents a significant milestone in our commitment to advancing women’s basketball in Asia. It will build on the momentum generated by the impressive performances of our female National Teams on the global stage,” said FIBA Executive Director Asia, Mr. Hagop Khajirian.
Chengdu is the capital city of Sichuan Province in southwestern China. It is the eight largest city in China and one of the most populous in the country. It serves as a major hub for finance, culture, and transportation in the region. It has also become increasingly recognized as an important sports destination, hosting various international events.
“Chengdu’s growing sports infrastructure and its strong support for women’s sports have been one of the main reasons behind the Regional Office’s decision to stage the inaugural edition in this city,” he added.
Looking ahead to 2025, the competition will expand to include six teams. In addition to the four aforementioned teams, two additional spots will be determined through qualifying tournaments featuring clubs from across Asia.
“The inaugural edition will be played with four teams, but as of next year, the competition will expand to six teams, and the qualification path will involve clubs from all Asia’s Sub-Zones. I truly believe that this club competition will provide a valuable platform for female players to engage in competitive play and showcase their talents. I’m confident that it will elevate women’s basketball in Asia to new heights,” he added.
FIBA