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Australia is keen to host the 2010 women's basketball world championship as the sport tries to capitalise on the Opals' rise to the top of the international game.

Australia's undefeated run through the best nations in the world has given basketball a timely boost, accelerating some already-promising signs that the sport is finally making up some lost ground.

The NBL has expanded its number of teams, with more in the pipeline, has secured a naming rights sponsor in recent times and there is speculation a free-to-air television deal may soon be struck to support Fox Sports ongoing coverage.

Australian Bob Elphinston, a key player in the bid and staging of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, last month became president of FIBA, the sports governing body, in another fillip for the game Down Under.

The Opals' new status as world champions has brought plenty of media attention and discussions are being held about tabling a bid to FIBA at the end of the year to host the 2010 world titles.

Australia last staged the event in 1994.

"We're talking about whether we can potentially host the world championship again," Elphinston said.

"We know Australians would support it, we've got the stadiums and FIBA knows we can stage a very good event.

"Basketball Australia (BA) is very keen, particularly while we've got such a great women's team."

BA is optimistic of going a step further with preparations for the Beijing Olympics.

The organisation is hopeful a major marquee sponsor can be found that would allow top female players, like Lauren Jackson and Penny Taylor, to remain in Australia in the lead-up to 2008.

The Opals' effort in Brazil this month was all the more impressive because players based in the US WNBA only joined the squad days before the tournament began.

A criticism of basketball in Australia in recent times has been the distinct lack of marketing, but Elphinston believes the time has come to change that.

"It's a tough scene in Australia. We have four or five non-Olympic sports that take up so much press, sponsorships and television," he said, referring to the rugby codes, AFL, cricket and motor sport.

"But we need to be able to stand on our own two feet. We're a prominent Olympic sport and we do very well in basketball.

"There's no reason why we can't be more aggressive in the market place. I guess it's in our hands to make that happen."

Jackson, one of Australia's most recognised sportswomen, is confident the gold medal will help raise the Opals' profile.

"When the women's hockey team won the impact was huge and hopefully we have the same impact for team sport in Australia," she said.

"We're kind of known already, but this will definitely make people sit up.