SINGAPORE (Singapore) - The organizers of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup staged on the eve of the tournament a host of media events in the city center to officially launch the big event, attracting the interest of the public and local media on Wednesday in Singapore.

Edwin Tong, the Singapore Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, ceremoniously declared the start of the competition by displaying his basketball skills, with an assist for a two-handed dunk by Singapore-born player Li Si Yi.

Fans and the media alike were then invited to a Q&A session with a select panel comprised of representatives of the organizers and three of the players who will be competing for the trophy from Thursday onwards, in Al Ahly's Norris Cole, NBA G League Ignite's Izan Almansa and Wu Qian of the Zhejiang Golden Bulls.

The rapid growth of basketball proved to be the main focus of the questions to the panel, with Basketball Champions League CEO Patrick Comninos highlighting the unique opportunity that the FIBA Intercontinental Cup provides to local fans to enjoy high-level games showcasing different styles of play from across the world and immerse themselves in basketball culture.

Yazed Osman, as Group Head, Events and Placemaking at Kallang Alive Sport Management emphasized that the Singapore Sports Hub, as the region’s premier sport and entertainment venue, is absolutely ready to host an epic weekend of sportsmanship and a variety of activities that will appeal to all interests.

Wrapping the session, Marcus Tan, who is Chief, Sport Development Group at Sport Singapore shared his excitement for Asia’s first-ever FIBA Intercontinental Cup.

Mr Tan added that he looked forward to uplifting the basketball ecosystem through working with partners and providing more competition opportunities and programs under the ActiveSG Basketball Academy to attract more to pick up the sport and grow the basketball community.

Meanwhile, the captains of the six participating teams were treated to a special tour of Singapore’s Haji Lane, the epicenter of street and community culture in the city.

The six captains took in the sights and sounds of the iconic location, witnessed the blend of Singapore’s culture and soaked in the atmosphere.

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About FIBA Intercontinental Cup Singapore 2023
FIBA and Sport Singapore entered a three-year partnership that brings the FIBA Intercontinental Cup to Asia for the first time. Singapore Sports Hub is the venue of choice, providing the stage for the 33rd edition of the event, from September 21 to 24, 2023. FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2023 will see six participating basketball clubs battling it out on the court for the coveted FIBA Intercontinental Cup trophy. The event is organised by Kallang Alive Sport Management supported by partners Basketball Association of Singapore and Sneakertopia, and sponsored by EVA Air (Official Airline), Pan Pacific Singapore (Official Hotel), Rigorer (Official Apparel) and 100Plus (Official Hydration). Singapore’s national media network, Mediacorp is the official broadcaster for the FIBA Intercontinental Cup.