Lauren Jackson's Canberra Capitals team is set to take on the world's strongest professional basketball clubs in the inaugural FIBA Women's World Cup to be played in Russia later this year.

FIBA, basketball's world governing body, has extended an invitation to the 'Price Attack' Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) to attend the Women's World Cup, which will be held in Ekaterinbourg and Samara, Russia from 14 - 19 October this year. As reigning League Champions, the Canberra Capitals have been chosen to represent the 'Price Attack' WNBL at the prestigious new event which will now be held annually.

The Capitals will compete against seven other clubs from around the world for the World Cup crown. Included in the field are current Euroleague champions UMMC Ekaterinbourg of Russia and Euroleague runners-up US Valenciennes from France. In addition, one club each from Mozambique (FIBA Africa), Brazil (FIBA Americas) the WNBA or North of Central America (FIBA Americas) and Korea (FIBA Asia) will participate with the teams to represent the zones to be announced at a later date. Completing the field will be Russian team VBM-SGAU Samara.

Basketball Australia's General Manager of National Teams and Competitions Lorraine Landon said that the fact the WNBL were invited to participate in the World Cup was an indication of just how highly regarded Australian women's basketball was by the international community.

"The FIBA World Cup will be a showcase of the very best women's professional teams in the world," said Landon. "For the 'Price Attack' WNBL to be invited to compete against the powerhouse teams of Europe as Oceania's representative is a true honour and shows that our League is recognised the world over as one of the top competitions on the planet."

One Basketball Canberra Chief Executive Ross Graham said that the Capitals had leapt at the chance to be involved in the inaugural Women's World Cup.

"This event will provide a terrific boost for women's basketball worldwide and we had absolutely no hesitation in accepting the invitation to compete," said Graham. "This will give us a chance to showcase our team on the world stage. I have no doubt that the TransACT Capitals will do an outstanding job representing Oceania at the event and that they will show just how far Australian women's basketball has come."

Canberra TransACT Capitals star Lucille Bailie said the team was excited at the prospect of playing in the World Cup.

"It will be a wonderful experience to play in the first-ever Women's World Cup and it's exciting to be representing the WNBL on the world stage," said Bailie. "The tournament will be a great early season hit out against talented international opponents and as well as aiming for another WNBL championship we'll now also have the chance to shoot for international success as well."

All costs for competing in the World Cup will be covered by the event organisers, with the tournament being financed by the Russia Basketball Federation.

The Women's World Cup will be held during the early stages of the 2003-04 'Price Attack' WNBL season. The Capitals early-round games will be scheduled by the League to allow Canberra to make the trip to Russia. Details on the competition format will be announced at a later date.