Molten to Supply the Official Game Ball Designed Exclusively
for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023
Molten Corporation (Headquarters: Nishi-ku, Hiroshima City, Japan; President and CEO: Kiyo Tamiaki), a manufacturer of competition quality sports balls and equipment, will provide the official game ball with an exclusive design for the "Group phase" and "The Final" of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 to be held from August 25, 2023 in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia.
Sales of the official game balls and replica models will begin in various countries around the world starting from the draw that will be held in Manila, Philippines, on April 29.
The official game ball was jointly designed by FIBA and Molten based on the BG5000, which has been used in FIBA international games since August 2019.
The exclusive design concept of the ball for this World Cup is "The Passion Wave" which expresses the passion for the game spreading around the world.
Molten continues to develop and provide the absolute highest quality products with technological innovation for the greater basketball community to fulfill the brand statement “For the real game”.
Official game ball revealing event
Comment from Andreas Zagklis, FIBA Secretary General
We are all very excited by this exclusive official game ball, it's a great design and concept. It will be hugely popular with the players and the fans.
As FIBA's longest-standing partner, Molten have always been an important and valuable member of the FIBA Family. Their basketballs are a crucial element for us, as we continue to take the sport to new heights. I thank them for their commitment to basketball and to FIBA
Comment from Kiyo Tamiaki, President and CEO of Molten Corporation
We are pleased to announce the custom designed official game ball of the ‘FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023’, a design inspired by the brand identity of the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia for the first time in its history. We hope that the wave of passion for basketball brings us all together and expand the basketball family and community. Molten is always in pursuit of innovation and achieving excellence, and we will continue to work closely with FIBA. Once again, I would like to thank Mr. Andreas Zagklis, Secretary General, and all those involved with the success making this happen.
Product Features
1. Exclusive Ball Design for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023
The design concept of the game ball is "The Passions Wave." The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 will be the first World Cup to be jointly hosted by three countries (Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia), and it will make people passionate and excited about basketball, bringing them even closer together. The passion for basketball that forms a heartbeat and spreads around the world like a wave is expressed through the heart and wave elements of the design. Also, gold is used as part of the elements, further enhancing the design of the game ball.
2. Improved control
2-1. Less Slippery
New surface texture helps give an ideal grip even in contact with sweat or moisture.
Branded logos also give a tackier grip than transfer printing method used in prior model.
Printed proportion was reduced by 25% which also contributed to giving a better grip*
*Compared to Molten’s previous balls
2-2. Improved grip performance
Foam concentration increased by 35% and EVA foam backing layer has been newly applied, making the ball softer and easier to control.
*Compared to Molten’s previous balls
3. Authentic Texture
BG5000 takes full advantage of the natural leather properties to ensure better texture.
All lettering design on the BG5000 is branded into the ball to offer an authentic look to the natural leather basketball.
Product Overview
FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Official Website
About Molten
Molten, a manufacturer of balls and sports equipment, has been making and marketing basketballs, handballs, soccer balls, and volleyballs, of uncompromising quality since 1958. Molten continues to raise global standards, supplying the official game balls and sports equipment for major leagues, teams and international tournaments around the world.
For further information, please visit https://www.molten.co.jp/sports/en/
For the real game
Molten's brand statement, "For the real game", encapsulates what we hope to accomplish through our products and activities. It is our conviction that the real game happens only when impeccable balls and sports equipment enable athletes to realize their full potential and maximize performance.
