SBS and Football Australia have announced that SBS will deliver coverage of the 2023 IFCPF Asia-Oceania Championships with live and free access via SBS On Demand, providing greater visibility of the tournament and its athletes than ever before.
The International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football (IFCPF) is the international governing body for the sport of CP Football. Officially formed in January 2015, CP Football became an independent sport after 37 years under the ‘Cerebral Palsy Sport and Recreation Association’ (CPISRA).
From the Opening Day on 4 November until the final day on 11 November, SBS will broadcast over 45 hours of football during the Men’s and Women’s IFCPF Asia-Oceania Championships played at the “Home of the Matildas” at La Trobe University in Bundoora, Melbourne.
SBS Director of Sport Ken Shipp said: “SBS was established more than 40 years ago, and it is the only media organisation dedicated to inspiring a shared understanding and promoting the value of cultural diversity. One of the best ways in which SBS can bring Australians together in this way is through great sporting moments like the 2023 IFCPF Asia-Oceania Championships.”
Football Australia’s Head of Inclusion, Sarah Walsh, underscored the significance of the increased coverage.
“SBS has a long and proud relationship with Australian football, and we are delighted they will support the 2023 IFCPF Asia-Oceania Championships,” Walsh said.
“At the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 we witnessed the transformative power of visibility and representation on the national level. Providing effortless access and increased opportunities to watch the CommBank Pararoos and the CommBank ParaMatildas, and show what is possible through football, could be lifechanging for an Australian living with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury or symptoms of stroke.”
Leading the team in a record 23rd year of captaincy, CommBank Pararoo David Barber said: “It’s incredibly humbling to know that this year, SBS will be helping to share our beautiful game with all of Australia.
“This will bring fans not just of the green and gold, but the vast and rich diversity of our Asian Cup visitors as well, the chance to come together, and enjoy the pure competition that will light up Melbourne this year.”
The CommBank Pararoos and CommBank ParaMatildas will feature in the Opening Day of match action on Saturday, 4 November as the men’s team faces Thailand (5.15pm AEDT) and the women’s team opens their campaign against Japan (3.00pm AEDT).
Delivered with an athlete centred approach, the Tournament Schedule has been amended for Match Day 4 (7 November) which is now a rest day for the men’s competition. Match Day 5 (8 November) and Match Day 6 (9 November) will see action back on the pitch with a full complement of women’s and men’s group fixtures.
Match Day 4 on 7 November will also see the gates open free to the public to get up and close with CP football on the public holiday, with the main event a standalone match featuring the CommBank ParaMatildas against Japan.
The Finals will kick off on Friday, 10 November with the Women’s Final followed by the Men’s Final on Saturday, 11 November 2023.
Visit https://www.sbs.com.au/sport/article/how-to-watch-the-2023-para-asian-cup-live-on-sbs/t1teog0vq