TOKYO (Japan) - The latest official game ball presented by FIBAs' long-standing partner Molten, the BG5000 FIBA Special Edition, has been a big hit at the men's and women's Olympic Basketball Tournaments.

The ball is both striking in design and has an improved grip surface. The leather is dressed up with both "Sakura", cherry blossoms which are the flower that symbolizes Japanese culture and expresses the gathering of people and a feeling of joy, and circles that are drawn with a brush that expresses the uniqueness of Japan.

The outer and inner circles are formed with the character "和", meaning harmony. The triple circles express how a place filled with joy spreads like a wave.

Such great care has been put into the appearance with brush writing on the ball written by up-and-coming calligrapher Aoyagi Bisen who gives Japanese calligraphy performances at various cultural and sporting events around the world.

The ball has increased softness and the grip is helped by the inner foamed rubber layer, which is thicker than conventional products.

FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis met with Molten's President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kiyo Tamiaki and other members of the leadership team at the impressive Saitama Super Arena last week. This is the first occasion that both FIBA and Molten could meet in person since the successful FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China.  

As part of this meeting, FIBA's Secretary General gave Mr. Tamiaki a framed copy of the public announcement that was published stating that Molten would supply the official game ball for the 1982 FIBA World Championships in Colombia, which was the inaugural event of the longstanding partnership between FIBA and Molten.  

FIBA's Secretary General Andreas Zagklis
and Molten President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kiyo Tamiaki in Tokyo 

The headquarters of the Molten Corporation are in Nishi-ku, Hiroshima City, Japan.

FIBA