MIES, Switzerland/TOKYO, Japan (FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018) - FIBA and Molten on Tuesday proudly unveiled the official ball that will be in play at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018.

It is the first time that Molten supplies an exclusively designed official game ball for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.

The exclusively branded Molten BGL6X-W8S ball will be used by the world's top players when the 16 best national teams from across the globe come together in Tenerife - the largest of Spain's Canary Islands - from September 22-30 and do battle for the right to be crowned world champions.

The ball is adorned with a special design motif that incorporates the ocean and volcano - perfect representations of the impressive landscape found in the Canary Islands and Tenerife in particular - as well as players and fans. The combination of these elements makes for a unique design that is in line with the competition's branding.

This is the fifth year in a row that Molten has produced basketballs exclusively branded for FIBA’s top competitions.

Patrick Baumann, FIBA Secretary General and International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member, said: "For more than three decades, Molten and FIBA have had a tremendous relationship and worked together to develop great products. In the last five years, we have enjoyed the opportunity to add a personal touch to the basketballs used at our top competitions. It is a great pleasure to do so for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup."

Kiyofumi Tamiaki, President and CEO of Molten Corporation, said: "We are very pleased to have been partnered with FIBA for over 30 years and to have the opportunity to supply an exclusively designed official game ball for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. Guided by our brand statement 'For the real game', Molten continues to demonstrate its commitment to producing the absolute best products, fulfilling and exceeding the expectations of the basketball community."

Jorge Garbajosa, the President of the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB), said: "Thanks to Molten and FIBA for the creation of a special ball for our World Cup as this is the recognition of the magnitude this championship has worldwide. The model presented today goes hand in hand with the motto of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 in Tenerife - 'Reach your dream'. This helps us together with the players of the Spanish national team and the other 15 participating countries to have the fans in the arenas and in front of TV experience a vibrant competition, full of passion, effort and sports values."

Over the summer, fans and followers of FIBA across its social media platforms will have the chance to win a number of Molten balls for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018.

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About FIBA
FIBA (fiba.basketball) - the world governing body for basketball - is an independent association formed by 213 National Basketball Federations throughout the world. It is recognised as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

For further information about FIBA, visit fiba.basketball or follow FIBA on facebook.com/fiba, twitter.com/fiba, instagram.com/fiba and youtube.com/fiba.

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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.