MIES (Switzerland) – FIBA Foundation is delighted to announce the selection of Youth Leaders Ysabelle Gregorio, Patricia Ayebare, and Lawrencia Adjei for the FIBA Women Leaders’ Program supported by Molten.
Introduced in this landmark year leading up to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 in Germany, this pilot program brings together 10 inspiring leaders, two from each of FIBA's Regions, to strengthen their impact, elevate women’s basketball, and champion projects that empower girls and women through the sport.
Three of the ten selected participants previously took part in the FIBA Foundation’s Youth Leadership Program, which equips young adults aged 20–30 with the tools to design and deliver Basketball For Good projects in their communities. Their inclusion highlights both their personal growth and the sustained impact of the Foundation’s investment in youth development.
Creating visibility for women’s basketball in the Philippines
Ysabelle Gregorio from the Philippines will represent Asia in the program. She joined the Youth Leadership initiative through the Mascot Education Program of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. Alongside Youth Leaders from the three hosting countries, she participated in a four‑day workshop at the World Cup Draw, followed by the Asian Youth Leadership Workshop in Singapore in 2024.
These experiences inspired her to create a documentary celebrating women’s basketball in the Philippines, blending her leadership journey with her work as a courtside reporter. Aimed at schools and young audiences, the film empowers girls by highlighting the pathways forged by Filipino women in the sport.
"Being a Youth Leader in the last few years has given me the practical knowledge I need to turn my passion into action. I have grown closer to our Filipina basketball players, have told their stories to more Filipinos through film, and look to inspire others to keep supporting them and find their own niche in the world of basketball," expressed Gregorio.
Providing safe spaces for young girls to build confidence
The Basketball For Good journey of Patricia Ayebare from Uganda and Lawrencia Adjei from Ghana started at the African Youth Leadership Program in 2023. After valuable online sessions and an intensive three-day workshop in Namibia, they were both equipped with the necessary skills to deliver impactful Basketball For Good projects. They will both represent Africa in the FIBA Women Leaders’ Program.
Patricia has been unwavering in her commitment to creating safe, inclusive spaces for young people, especially girls. Her impact grew even further in 2025, when she attended the African Mini Basketball Convention and represented the FIBA Foundation as a panellist at the YMCA Youth Summit in Kenya. This important milestone allowed her to advocate for the role of sport in social change on an international platform.
This journey has been instrumental in my mission to be more intentional about creating inclusive spaces where children can compete alongside their peers and where basketballs are made available to underserved communities.
Driven by her passion for coaching and youth development, Lawrencia has consistently delivered Basketball For Good, helping young people, especially girls, build confidence and leadership skills both on and off the court. Her commitment to continuous growth led her to the African Mini Basketball Convention in 2024, where she deepened her understanding of child‑centred coaching, grassroots program design, and inclusive basketball environments.
"Being one of the selected participants in this year's FIBA Women In Leadership Program is a great blessing, and I believe it is a continuation of the great impact and lessons I learned at the 2023 Youth Leadership Program organized by the FIBA Foundation. Learning and hearing other people's stories made me want to do even better. It really takes a community of like-minded individuals to build anything long-lasting and meaningful, and this is my contribution to the bigger solution," said Lawrencia.
Sustaining Impact Through Continuous Empowerment
The journeys of Ysabelle, Patricia, and Lawrencia illustrate the long-lasting impact of the Youth Leadership Program and how it can serve as a stepping stone toward broader leadership opportunities. Their progression into the Women Leaders’ Program shows the continuity of support, mentorship, and development that the FIBA Foundation seeks to offer its Youth Leader alumni.
By connecting both programs, FIBA and the FIBA Foundation are cultivating a powerful pipeline of women leaders who are shaping the global basketball community.
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The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports and particularly basketball in society, preserving and promoting basketball’s values and its cultural heritage.
The FIBA Foundation believes that basketball has the power to empower, educate and inspire youth and facilitates this by implementing Basketball For Good projects around the world.