Molten Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Nishi-ku, Hiroshima; President and CEO: Tamiaki Kiyoshi, hereinafter referred to as Molten) has launched the Women in Basketball #KeepPlaying 2025 in the summer of 2025, which supports female athletes and female leaders, in Europe, North, Central and South America, and Asia.
Set in one of the world’s leading women’s basketball tournaments held in each region, Molten collaborated with FIBA and related organizations to carry out a variety of events and support activities aimed at women who will be the next generation.
● Europe: Starting at Eurobasket and supporting the production of the next generation of female leaders
Starting with Women in Basketball #KeepPlaying 2025, Molten participated in the FIBA Women LEAD in Basketball Forum (*1) held in Athens, Greece on the eve of the FIBA Women’s Eurobasket 2025 final.
This forum is co-hosted by FIBA and the European Basketball Federation, aimed at promoting women’s basketball growth and gender equality. Many female leaders and stakeholders from FIBA and the various national leagues participated, and discussions were held on the theme of “FIBA’s Strategic Priorities for Women in Basketball” (*2) on the theme of “FIBA’s Strategic Priorities for Women in Basketball” (*2). In it, Molten shared her efforts on the need for comprehensive support that allowed women to “#KeepPlaying” on and off the court.
This forum also held a ceremony to complete the next generation of female leadership development program WiLEAD 3.0, promoted by FIBA. Thirty-eight participants selected from European countries completed the one-year curriculum after a business pitch (*3) supported by Molten (*4). The three who made particularly excellent proposals were given an official invitation to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup to be held in Berlin in September 2026.
In addition, during the 2025 Eurobasket, Munich, Germany will be holding a backstage tour (*5) for junior female athletes, hosted by Molten. The players, ages 14 to 16, had a valuable experience through interacting with national team players, visiting behind the scenes, and drawing tickets for spectators.
In this way, #KeepPlaying in Europe has not only improved the level of competition, but also has a multi-layered approach to education, exchange and leader development, and has become a place to support young people who will play the next generation of women’s basketball.
(*1) FIBA Women LEAD in Basketball Forum
https://about.fiba.basketball/en/news/women-lead-in-basketball-forum-makes-a-mark-in-athens
(*2) FIBA’s Strategic Priorities for Women in Basketball
https://about.fiba.basketball/en/organization/strategy/women-in-basketball
(*3) Shark Tank
Shark Tank is a popular reality show from the US, where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to investors.
(*4) Business pitch in the “Shark Tank” style
https://about.fiba.basketball/en/news/wilead-3-0-concludes-with-workshop-and-graduation-in-greece
(*5) Backstage Tour
https://www.instagram.com/p/DLNAu8wt4oa/
● South America: Joint survey with FIBA on young people’s departure from competition
At FIBA Women’s Americana P 2025 held in Chile, the program was collaborated with the ADELANTE Program promoted by FIBA America. In order to clarify the reality of young female players moving away from basketball, we conducted a survey of U23 players and related parties.
The findings will be used to promote female athletes’ participation, develop coaches and judges, and create strategies aimed at improving gender diversity in clubs and national leagues.
Going forward, Molten and FIBA America are also planning to select female leaders who have shown great ideas in the region and invite them to the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2026.
● Asia: Participatory basketball experience in Shenzhen, China
At the FIBA Women’s Asian Cup 2025 held in Shenzhen, China, Molten held two basketball clinics with the aim of realizing an inclusive society.
The first is the Special Olympics Clinic. (*6) The event was held with the cooperation of Molten, and was coached by FIBA Hall of Fame athletes and tournament ambassadors, Miao Lije and Ogami Yuko, as well as Shao Ting, youth leader of the FIBA Foundation.
Based on the philosophy of the Special Olympics, children enjoyed playing together with top athletes and were a valuable opportunity to experience the joy, emotion and connection that basketball brings.
The second is a clinic aimed at junior female athletes in her hometown, Shenzhen. Through technical advice and spiritual encouragement, older role models, female leaders and leaders brought positive energy to the girls that made them want to continue playing basketball in the future.
It was a great opportunity for the young players who participated to participate to deepen their connections with basketball.
Additionally, FIBA China Girls Summer Camp 2025 was held as part of FIBA’s grassroots program, Her World Her Rules, which is being deployed worldwide.
The camp was attended by 116 girls, ages 8 to 16, from 10 countries. In this initiative, which is the largest in FIBA history, we attended a special training session with Chinese national team legends Shao Ting and Sun Munlan as part of the Molten Basketball Legend Camp Visit (*7). In addition, there was a gift of autographed basketball, making it an unforgettable and special experience for participants.
(*6) Special Olympics Clinic
(*7) Molten Basketball Legend Camp Visit
https://about.fiba.basketball/en/news/fiba-her-world-her-rules-camp-in-china-makes-lasting-impact
Molten creates the most optimal product and the most optimal environment for all people involved in sports to bring out the authentic emotions that can only be felt in sports, and creates a world where sports are always by their side.
Comment from Hasegawa Noa, Marketing Division, Sports Goods Business Division, Molten Co., Ltd.
Molten’s activities, which have supported women in the basketball world, marked its fourth year in 2025. This summer’s efforts across three continents have become a meaningful chapter with an eye toward the future of women’s basketball. Molten also continues to contribute to the development of women’s basketball through a diverse, meticulously designed programme under a long-standing global partnership with FIBA.
As the countdown for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026, to be held in Berlin, Germany from September 4th to 14th, 2026, Molten is working to create an ecosystem that inspires women of all walks of life, from players, coaches, umpires and the next generation of management leaders.
Let women continue #KeepPlaying without interruption, whether on or off the coat. Girls, young women, and female leaders hold hands to build a bright future for women’s basketball. That’s what we at Molten are aiming for.
■ About FIBA (International Basketball Federation)
FIBA (Fédération Internationale de Basketball) is an international organization that oversees basketball competitions and oversees basketball federations in 212 countries and regions around the world. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, we formulate competition rules, train judges, and host international competitions at all international competitions, including the Olympics.
It is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the only authoritative institution in basketball, and is committed to creating global connections through basketball, promoting fair play spirit, and promoting diversity and inclusion under the philosophy of “We Are Basketball.”
URL: https://www.fiba.basketball/en
■ About Molten Sports Goods Business
Molten’s sports goods business has been manufacturing and selling sports goods such as basketball, handball, soccer, and volleyball since 1958, and has continued to improve its quality as a global standard.
Not only players, but also people involved in sports (coach, manager, parents) aim to “create the most optimal product and the most optimal environment in order to bring out the real emotions that can only be felt in sports, and create a world where sports are always by life.”
Molten Sports Goods Business Official Website: https://www.molten.co.jp/sports/jp/
Molten Official Online Shop:https://shop.moltensports.jp/
■ Molten: Social Issues in the Sports Goods Business
We aim to become a social brand that solves social issues through products and services, and carry out business activities and product manufacturing. “A basketball brand aims to promote and strengthen basketball”molten B+ (B Plus)“The soccer ball is a no-frills soccer ball that is perfect for children’s experience gaps and is also an excellent educational kit.MY FOOTBALL KIT“To resolve the gap between children and adults through basketball.General Incorporated Association Arch to Hoop OkinawaIn addition to “Keep Playing,” which is committed to continuing women’s sports with the slogan “Let’s continue doing what we love. Let’s continue playing sports,” we are also reviewing the materials for our existing products and working to combat environmental impacts.
■ Molten Co., Ltd. Company Profile
Starting with the manufacture and sale of competitive balls and automotive parts, we have expanded our business by utilizing two core technologies: “hollow body technology” that regulates internal air pressure, and “polymer chemistry,” which handles polymer materials such as rubber and resin. Currently, in addition to the sports goods business, including competitive balls and the automotive parts business, the medical and welfare equipment business, he is responsible for social contributions from both product development and academic research, while in the marine and industrial products business, he continues to pursue possibilities in a variety of fields, including manufacturing and selling the elements that make up the social infrastructure, as well as floating piers and rubber support for bridges.
Location: 10-97-21 Kannon-Shinmachi 4-chome, Nishi-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Established: November 1, 1958
Representative: Representative Director and CEO, Tamiaki Kiyoshi
Capital: 316.14 million yen
Employees: 673 individuals (as of September 2023), 3,100 groups
Company name origin: molten is a past participle of melt, and in addition to the meaning of “to dissolve or cast,” it also means “old.”
It has the meaning of “molting from something new.”
