Bengaluru gears up for the big hoop bash

Bengaluru: With the countdown to the tip-off under way, the city is all set to host the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2017 from July 23-29. Under the aegis of the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and the Karnataka State Basketball Association, preparations to host the city’s first global basketball championship since the U-18 championship for men in 2004 are complete.

The two venues for the tournament – the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium and the Koramangala Stadium have been fully refurbished in the build-up, to the cost of 10 crore rupees, as was announced at a press conference on Monday.

“We are trying our best to provide the best playing facilities and staying conditions. The stadium has been upgraded to the expectations of FIBA,” BFI President K. Govindraj said.

The Kanteerva Indoor Stadium will play host to all Division A matches – featuring heavyweights like Australia, China, and Japan, as well as India’s Division B matches.

The state government has been heavily involved in the renovation process at both venues, installing state-of-the-art maple wood flooring for the courts at both venues, as well as overhauling the player dressing rooms, toilets, media cells and lighting systems.

Anupam Agarwal (IPS), Director, Youth Empowerment and Sports Department of Karnataka said, “For the last 20 years, no major upgrading has taken place at the Kanteerava Indoor Stadium, so we felt this was the right opportunity to do it.”

The Indian eves will be gunning to return to Division A after being relegated to Division B following the 2015 edition. For that they need to top their group which also comprises Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan. The Indian women take on Lanka in their opener on July 23.