The Saudi Basketball Federation has announced that Saudi Arabia will host the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup for men, which will take place in Jeddah. This will be the second time Saudi Arabia hosts this prestigious continental event; the last time was in 1997 in the capital, Riyadh, where Korea claimed the title after defeating Japan 78-76 in the final. The Saudi basketball team also reached its first-ever semifinals, finishing in fourth place.
Hagop Khajirian, the Executive Director of FIBA's Asian Office, stated that "there will be two exciting years for basketball in the Kingdom, especially considering the development in the country over the past years." He praised the growth of sports in the Kingdom, noting, "The return of the FIBA Asia Cup to Saudi Arabia for the first time in nearly three decades signifies the Kingdom's commitment to the growth of basketball and its passion for the sport." He added, "It is also evident in the steps they have recently taken in their program; we anticipate a great event that not only showcases the best of the FIBA Asia Cup but also highlights Saudi Arabia's remarkable journey."
Ghassan Tashkandi, President of the Saudi Basketball Federation, said that "hosting this prestigious Asian basketball event in the Kingdom is an extension of the international events organized by Saudi Arabia across various fields and sectors." He added, "We firmly believe that hosting prestigious sports events like the FIBA Asia Cup provides us with an opportunity to develop sports in the Kingdom and showcase our basketball aspirations for the future." Thus, the major event returns to the Gulf, given the ongoing growth of basketball in the region.
