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The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) is proud to announce the renewal of its global partnership with Molten, a world-leading manufacturer of sporting goods and official ball supplier. The new eight-year agreement strengthening a long-standing collaboration that continues to support the growth and development of wheelchair basketball worldwide.
Facilitated by FIBA Media & Marketing Services, the renewed partnership ensures Molten remains the official game ball provider for key IWBF-owned competitions, including the IWBF World Championships for Men and Women, all zonal qualifiers, the U23 Men’s and U25 Women’s World Championships, and the repechage tournaments for the Paralympic Games and World Championships.
The relationship between IWBF and Molten has steadily grown since Molten became IWBF’s first ever Global Partner in 2018. It has developed alongside the sport itself, reflecting Molten’s increasing dedication to wheelchair basketball and to building an inclusive basketball ecosystem - from the running game to the wheelchair game.
IWBF President Ulf Mehrens commented:
“We are extremely pleased to continue our valued partnership with Molten through 2032. Molten has been a steadfast supporter of wheelchair basketball, and their commitment to quality and inclusion mirrors our own values. Having this long-term agreement in place, made possible through the cooperation with FIBA Media & Marketing Services, gives us the stability to plan ahead with confidence and better support our Local Organising Committees - particularly in providing more basketballs to accommodate the growing number of participating teams. We are especially appreciative of Molten’s continued support, which directly benefits our players and competitions around the world.”
Molten’s continued commitment enhances the quality of play across all levels of the game and supports the delivery of elite competitions through consistent, top-tier equipment.
Kiyofumi Tamiaki, President of Molten Corporation stated:
“We are honoured to continue our valued partnership with the IWBF and look forward to further strengthening our collaboration. With our unwavering commitment to producing the highest quality products, combined with the remarkable passion and dedication of the wheelchair basketball community, we are confident that together with IWBF and FIBA, we can contribute to the further growth and development of the sport worldwide.”
FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis commented:
"The partnership between Molten and FIBA spans five decades and Molten was also the first Global Partner of IWBF, so this important relationship runs very deep in the family.
"The renewal of the global partnership between Molten and the IWBF underscores therefore the unique strength of this long-standing collaboration. We are very happy that, in facilitating the extension, FIBA Media & Marketing Services was able to leverage the new strategic agreement between FIBA and the IWBF, demonstrating in action some of the benefits of the 'Stronger Together' principle."
The IWBF looks forward to continuing to work alongside Molten to elevate the sport and bring world-class wheelchair basketball to even greater audiences over the coming years.
