LEON (Mexico) - FIBA's longest standing Global Partner, Molten has extended its exciting Women in Basketball initiative, which will inspire young ballers, coaches and parents through dedicated role models attending the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2024.
Taking place in Leon, Mexico, the flagship tournament witnessed Molten unveiling the bespoke 'Un Juego sin Límites/Game with no Limits #KeepPlaying' Forum – a program that will support young players both on and off the court.
The extension of Molten's initiative comes in the wake of the successful roll out of the 'Female Local Champions Program' which recognizes the efforts of women in promoting and growing female basketball participation within their local communities.
This was something that was activated for both the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Australia and also at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 in Slovenia and Israel.
The Molten initiative is closely aligned with FIBA's belief in the importance of creating role models for young girls so they can dream big and aspire to follow in the footsteps of strong and inspiring women.
It is also fundamental to FIBA's commitment to grow the game globally by encouraging and empowering girls to pick up a ball and to continue being part of the sport.
Meanwhile an effective collaboration with valued global partners such as Molten on these important activities is playing a significant role in helping FIBA to deliver its strategy priority of Women in Basketball.
The Forum in Leon tipped off with FIBA Central Board member and former President of FIBA Americas, Carol Callan sharing her vast experiences that she gained working from the likes of USA Basketball. Local basketball families were given ideas on the best ways of staying connected with the sport.
“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.
FIBA Media & Marketing Director General Frank Leenders 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, this Forum will help inspire youth players and influence their mindset with various ways of staying connected to basketball."
He continued: "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 by age of 20.3."
The 'Game with no Limits #KeepPlaying' project at the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2024 is one of many initiatives that FIBA will be working on with Molten on the road to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026, which is set to take place in the German Capital of Berlin.
FIBA