FIBA Asia Women's Cup 2017: India drawn in Division B, Group A

The last time India's Women's squad played in a major FIBA Asia tournament, they returned in failure. India lost all of their preliminary group games in Level 1 and then lost their playoff game, too, to fall down to the lower Level 2 of the tournament. It was a difficult time for our national team, and the last two years have been spent with the mission to return to the higher rung of competition.

In a few months, India will have some extra motivation for success: home court. For the first time since 2009, we will be hosting not one, but two major FIBA Asia events - the FIBA Asia Women's Cup and the FIBA Asia U16 Championship for Women - over the next few months. The former of these will be held in Bengaluru from July 23-29.

As the competition dates loom nearer, the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and FIBA took the next major step in preparation: On Wednesday morning in Bengaluru, the official draw for the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2017 was held at the city's Krishna Hall. This year's list of squads, for the first time, include teams from the Oceania region in the Asian competition, too. The expanded fray of participants also presented a changed format in the tournament, with two groups in each "Division" (instead of Level). India were drawn into the lower Division B, Group A, along with Sri Lanka, American Samoa, and Uzbekistan.

Results: FIBA Asia Women's Cup 2017 Draw

• Division A, Group A: New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, North Korea, China.
• Division A, Group B: South Korea, Philippines, Japan, Australia.
• Division B, Group A: Sri Lanka, India, American Samoa, Uzbekistan.
• Division B, Group B: Lebanon, Singapore, Kazakhstan, Fiji.

Japan, the champions from 2015, will be among the favourites again, but will have to contend with a couple of strong sides in Australia and South Korea in their group. China and Chinese Taipei will be the strongest squads in Division A's Group A.

In terms of FIBA's World Rankings, India is still the fifth-highest ranked team in Asia, and should be able to top their group easily. India's main threat is likely to be Uzbekistan. If India can top Division B, they will be promoted to Division A for the next iteration of the championship.

The draw ceremony in Bengaluru on Wednesday was attended by BFI President K Govindaraj, BFI Secretary-General Chander Mukhi Sharma, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his Sports Minister Pramod Madhvaraj and Minister for Bengaluru Development and Town Planning KJ George.

India's National Basketball Championship to tip off in Mysuru (Karnataka) on January 9 with the country's finest talents

Welcome to Mysuru, formerly Mysore, the third-largest city in Karnataka. Known for being the 'cleanest city in India', descending from a proud history of the Kingdom of Mysore, boasting beautiful palaces, and known for its popular silk saris.

And now, hopefully, for its basketball, too.

From January 9-16, the entire Indian hoop nation will descend in Mysuru for India's biggest and most prestigious basketball tournament, the 66th Senior National Basketball Championship for Men and Women. The 'Senior Nationals'- organized by Karnataka State Basketball Association (KSBBA) under the aegis of the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) - will tip off Chamundi Vihar Stadium Complex in the city on Saturday. The Senior National Basketball Championship is returning to Mysuru after a gap of 29 years. 29 men’s teams and 24 women’s teams representing most of India's states and provinces have confirmed participation.

Karnataka's chief minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the tournament on Saturday evening.

Last year's Senior Nationals were held in Bhilwara (Rajasthan). In the Women's section, Chhattisgarh repeated after 2014's surprise win to once again win the gold. In the Men's tournament, 2013 champions Uttarakhand bounced back to reclaim their place at the top. Chhattisgarh's Poonam Chaturvedi recovered from a brain tumor to win the tournament's MVP in the women's division, while Uttarkhand's Amrit Pal Singh was the Men's MVP.

Chhattisgarh’s Women team will attempt to complete a three-peat of titles after breaking Indian Railways’ monopoly over the trophy two years ago. In the Men’s section, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Services, and hosts Karnataka will feature stacked rosters competing for the title. India’s best players will be there competing for the nation’s most prestigious domestic title. Over 160 matches will be played in this premier league cum knockout gala that will see the country’s top international stars in action. Vishesh Bhriguvanshi (Indian men’s team captain), Anitha Paul Durai (veteran Indian women’s captain), Jeena PS (Kerala) and Karnataka’s own international stars Arvind Arumugam, Bhandavya HM and Rajesh Uppar are just few of the big names expected to participate in this marquee event.

"In terms of number of teams to register, this is the highest participation we have received in a long time," said K Govindaraj, President of both the KSBBA and the BFI. "Bengaluru hosts many Championships, we wanted to give Mysuru an opportunity to showcase its infrastructure and host a National level event. With this exposure, hopefully Mysuru can also conduct an Asian level competition in the future."

Speaking on the innate potential of basketball, he said, "If you go to any school, taluka or district stadium, you will find a basketball court. That is the ubiquitous presence of basketball, which we are going to take to greater heights."

Participating Teams

Men

• Level 1: Group A: Uttarakhand, Haryana, Karnataka, Punjab, Delhi.
  
• Level 1: Group B: Tamil Nadu, Services, Kerala, Indian Railways, Telangana.
  
• Level 1: Group C: Chhattigarh, Chandigarh, Goa, Odisha, Puducherry.
  
• Level 2: Group D: Rajasthan, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Tripura.
  
• Level 2: Group E: Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh.
  
• Level 2: Group F: West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh.
  

Women

• Level 1: Group A: Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh.
  
• Level 1: Group B: Delhi, Indian Railways, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Punjab.
  
• Level 1: Group C: Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir.
  
• Level 2: Group D: Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Odisha.
  
• Level 2: Group E: Bihar, Gujarat, Puducherry, West Bengal.
  
• Level 2: Group F: Chandigarh, Goa, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand.
  

Besides on-court action, the BFI and KSBBA will also be organizing the FIBA Asia Development Plan - Referees clinic at the Chamundi Stadium from January 14-16. This will be conducted by Heros Avanesian, Head of Competition – Asia, International Basketball Federation, FIBA Asia. As per the FIBA Asia directives & guidelines it is mandatory for all National and FIBA Active referees to participate in the clinic. Non-participants or referees who fail the tests will be deprived from officiating FIBA ASIA events.

The Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah will be inaugurating the Championship at 5 pm on 9th January. Other chief guests will include V Shrinivasa Prasad (Minister of Revenue & Dist. in charge, Mysuru), Dr. HC Mahadevappa (Minister of Public Works Department), Mahadev Prasad (Minister of Co-Operation) and K Abhaychandra (Minister of Youth Services and Fisheries).