MIES, Switzerland/TOKYO, Japan (2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup) - FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, and Molten, a world leading manufacturer of competition quality sports balls, have unveiled the official ball to be used at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup (30 August-14 September) in Spain.

This will be the first time ever a custom designed basketball has been developed exclusively for an individual event, incorporating the elements of the championship's brand identity.

Molten have provided the official basketball at FIBA's flagship event since 1982. At past tournaments, the official ball has featured the logo of the event in question. For Spain 2014, the GL7 game ball will combine Molten's trademark 12-panel, two-tone Giugiaro design with a new custom 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup design.

"We are very excited to unveil this very special ball that will be used by the best players and best teams in the world at this summer's FIBA Basketball World Cup," said FIBA Secretary General and International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member Patrick Baumann.

"This ball is one-of-a-kind because it integrates the look and feel of the tournament. It brings to life the essence of the logo. You can see the hands that symbolise players fighting for the ball. The bright colours are the ones that best represent the championship.

"We are extremely grateful to Molten for helping us develop this special product. It is the result of a great partnership that we have enjoyed with them for over 30 years now."

Kiyo Tamiaki, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Molten Corporation, said: "We are very pleased to serve as the official game ball for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup and have our basketballs used in FIBA's highest level of competition by some of the most elite athletes in the world.

"For the first time ever, the official game ball features a unique 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup design and we are honoured to provide these special basketballs to celebrate this highly-prestigious event. Guided by our brand statement "For the real game", Molten is committed to producing the absolute best products to serve and exceed the expectations of the global basketball community."

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About the FIBA Basketball World Cup

The first-ever FIBA Basketball World Cup will take place in 2014 in Spain.

The Preliminary Round will be played from Saturday 30 August to Thursday 4 September in Bilbao, Gran Canaria, Granada and Seville.

The Final Round will be hosted in the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona and in the Palacio de los Deportes of Madrid from Saturday 6 to Sunday 14 September.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup, known from 1950 until 2010 as the FIBA World Championship, is the flagship event of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

The winners of the FIBA Basketball World Cup get to celebrate their crowning moment by holding aloft the Naismith Trophy, named after the inventor of basketball, Dr James Naismith.

Go to www.fiba.basketball/spain2014 to find out more.

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About Molten

Molten, a manufacturer of balls and sports equipment, has been making and marketing basketballs, volleyballs, soccer balls and handballs 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.

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 maximise performance.

For further information, please visit www.molten.co.jp.

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To the attention of media outlets

You can find photos of the Official Ball of the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup by going to http://photos.fiba.com. Use the log-in details:
Username: public
Password: gallery
and go into the folder 'Public Media Gallery'. When you use the photos, please credit them as 'Photo: FIBA'.

FIBA