Ahmedabad, July 2 (IANS) Ahmedabad has added another international sporting event to its calendar with the hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers – Window 3, where the Indian men’s basketball team will play two crucial qualification matches against Qatar and Lebanon at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Naranpura between July 2 and 5.

India opened its qualifying campaign against Qatar on Thursday, and will face Lebanon on July 5. Both fixtures are considered important in the team’s bid to progress in the Asian qualification pathway for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said the tournament reflected Ahmedabad’s growing role as a venue for international sporting events across multiple disciplines.

He noted that the city was hosting another major international competition only days after successfully staging the 2026 AVC Men’s Volleyball Cup at the same venue.

“Ahmedabad is rapidly establishing itself as a premier sports hub. Hosting another major international basketball tournament within just a week of the Asian Volleyball Championship reflects Gujarat’s world-class sports infrastructure and our commitment to promoting international sporting events in the state,” Sanghavi said.

The 2026 AVC Men’s Volleyball Cup was held in Ahmedabad from June 20 to 28, marking the first time India had hosted the tournament.

The basketball qualifiers form part of India’s campaign to reach the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.

Under head coach Scott Fleming, the national side is in a rebuilding phase, with an emphasis on developing young players while gaining international experience.

According to the latest FIBA rankings, India is placed 76th in the world and 14th in Asia. After a difficult start to its qualification campaign, the team will look to improve its performances, with home advantage in Ahmedabad expected to provide an added boost against experienced opponents.

The Indian squad includes Kanwar Sandhu, Pranav Prince, Princepal Singh and Harsh Dagar, all of whom have impressed in recent international competitions.

Ahmedabad will host four days of international basketball action during the event, with organisers expecting basketball fans to turn out in large numbers to support the national team.

The matches against Qatar and Lebanon are regarded as significant fixtures in India’s effort to strengthen its standing in Asian basketball and keep its World Cup qualification hopes alive.

–IANS

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