MIES (Switzerland) - The global FIBA Family has marked International Women's Day 2025 with many different activities that promote gender equality and empowerment within the sport - as well as fuelling the impressive growth and popularity of women's hoops worldwide. Showcasing how it celebrates the incredible impact of women every single day, FIBA's commitment is powered by its strategic priority, Women In Basketball. Taking place at the Patrick Baumann House Of Basketball, a new family of dedicated trophies has been created and showcased for the upcoming 2025 editions of the FIBA Women's AmeriCup, FIBA Women's AfroBasket and FIBA Women's Asia Cup - following on from the new FIBA Women's EuroBasket trophy that was unveiled in 2023. United and lined up alongside each other in celebration of International Women's Day, the stunning trophies provided a clear visual representation of the dynamic and fast-paced evolution of women's basketball.
The FIBA Foundation has once again played a major role in promoting female participation and empowerment across all projects. The Foundation's Propose A Project initiative has continued to support Basketball For Good activities aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Number five specifically prioritizes female participation within supported projects, empowering young women within their local communities.
In Belize, the National Federation (BBF) has hosted Coach Yenny Pinilla from Colombia for a Mini Basketball camp. The former international basketball player and FIBA Mini Basketball expert inspired over 110 girls aged 5 to 15 years to explore basic basketball fundamentals and also learn how to enjoy the sport in a safe space.
In Uganda, FIBA Foundation Youth Leader, Patricia Ayebare has been using basketball as a means to attract girls in Kampala so she could distribute menstrual products. These were given to 100 girls in two of the most impoverished areas, improving their self-esteem and keeping them in school. In Kosovo, FIBA Foundation Youth Leader Edita Medunjanin organized a ‘Believe & Bounce’ a training session for U12 and U14 girls in Pristina. It brought them all alongside senior national team players, with a documentary inspiring the girls to pursue various careers in basketball - whether on or off the court. 3x3, the world's fastest-growing urban team sport, is championing inclusivity and has highlighted two-time FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series winner Paige Crozon from Team Canada to celebrate International Women's Day. She is one of many game-changing 3x3 players who is inspiring the next generation of fans and players worldwide.
There are also a range of dedicated posts taking place on Women's Hoops social channels to celebrate the women's game - today and continuing for the month. This includes its growth, popularity, and culture - ranging from sneakers to memes, and all the key numbers to underline and highlight its current and projected success.
Meanwhile, right across all FIBA regions, there has also been plenty to celebrate.
Not least, the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 draw is taking place at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens, Greece, on the evening of IWD. The ceremony will be livestreamed on the official FIBA YouTube channel as the 16 participating nations discover their opponents for this year's showpiece event. In Oceania, the next tranche of Women in Leadership (WiLEAD) program participants has been announced. The focus of the WiLEAD is to provide an opportunity for talented and motivated women within the basketball family to improve their competencies, develop new skills, and empower their confidence. This network of talented and knowledgeable women is helping increase the growth and visibility of the women’s game across the region. In Africa, the past year has seen a celebration of the women who have significantly influenced basketball on the continent. Six standout women, central to their teams' achievements, are being honored on this special day in the region. Find out more here. FIBA