FIBA’s longest standing Global Partner, Molten, has extended its Women in Basketball initiative with a brand new opportunity to inspire youth players, coaches and parents working with well-known national and international role models at FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2024 in Mexico.

The decision came following the successful roll out of the Female Local Champions Program - putting the efforts of women in promoting and growing female basketball participation within their local communities in the spotlight - at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022  in Australia and FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023  in Slovenia and Israel.

Un Juego sin Límites/Game with no Limits #KeepPlaying

Molten unveiled the exciting new initiative - ‘Un Juego sin Límites/Game with no Limits #KeepPlaying’ Forum - a bespoke program carefully designed for youth players, and those who support them on and off the court, at the FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Leon.

The Forum, attended by ninety-five players aged 12 to 17 with their coaches and parents, was opened by Carol Callan - first female President of FIBA Americas and United States women’s national basketball team and Member of FIBA Central Board, FIBA’s highest executive body. She shared her extensive experiences and insights from the USA and global basketball scenes.

Callan was joined by a line-up of five top female figureheads, who shared their visions for young women making their way in basketball:

Fernanda Gutierrez - USA Basketball Gold Licensed coach, Jessica Elizondo - Basketball  Academies Director, Cinthia Ortiz - ITESO University Coach, Paola Soto - University Team Player and Lizette Bautista – professional player.

“Molten and FIBA have a long-standing relationship in supporting young women in their basketball journey. Through my experiences as a teacher, coach, national team director and President of a FIBA region, I have had many role models whose qualities have inspired me," Callan explained. 

"I look forward to helping these young women identify traits and characteristics that will lead them to their own successes using basketball as the vehicle," said Callan.

Frank Leenders, Director General of FIBA Media and Marketing Services stated: "Developing women’s basketball is one of FIBA’s key strategic priorities and we’re delighted our longest standing Global Partner, Molten, supports this vision by engaging and inspiring women and girls worldwide through their programs. It is great to see such initiatives taking place in Leon, Mexico."

He added: "Strong female role models are vital, and together with Molten, we are committed to continuing to build a brighter future for women's basketball."

Molten’s Head of Brand Marketing Noa Hasegawa, said: “Continuous growth in the career of a female basketball player depends not only on her individual performance, but on the environment and opportunities provided to her - sometimes we need to create this path. With wonderful panels at this important event, the ‘Game with no Limits #KeepPlaying’ Forum will inspire youth players and influence their mindset with various ways of staying connected with basketball.”

“Molten is proud to grow its Women in Basketball initiative to reach the thriving youth basketball scene. We are very excited to extend our collaboration with FIBA to improve the drop-out rate of women in basketball, which tends to reach its peak around three months after players celebrate their 20th birthday.”

The 'Game with no Limits #KeepPlaying' project staged at FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2024 is one of many collaborative initiatives between FIBA and Molten on the road to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026, taking place in Germany’s capital Berlin.

About FIBA

FIBA (fiba.basketball) - the world governing body for basketball, is an independent association formed by 212 National Basketball Federations throughout the world. It is recognized as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

For further information about FIBA, visit fiba.basketball or follow FIBA on Facebook,  Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube

About Molten

Molten established in1958 in Hiroshima, has been manufacturing and selling sporting goods such as game balls for basketball, handball, soccer, and volleyball based on uncompromising quality.

Molten creates the official game balls and other innovative products such as whistles, digital scoreboards and wider sports equipment that are used in international competitions, by the world’s top leagues and teams, and continues to increase the level of quality as the global standard.

About Molten & FIBA

Molten is FIBA’s longest standing Global Partner - celebrating 40 years of international collaboration in 2022 - and working hand in hand with FIBA to support the rise of girls and women in basketball.

Please visit our website for more details.
URL: https://www.molten.co.jp/sports/en/