MIES (Switzerland) - The FIBA Women Leaders' Program, supported by Molten, is bringing together 10 inspiring women leaders from across the globe after being selected for their innovative projects that use basketball as a platform for social impact and community development. Linking to FIBA's Women in Basketball strategic priority, their initiatives are focused on meeting the challenge of increasing girls' participation and retention, creating sustainable community programs and leadership pathways, and achieving greater visibility for women athletes. The selected participants cover a diverse range of topics. These include media storytelling initiatives, grassroots tournaments, leadership hubs, mentorship programs, and community development platforms designed to strengthen opportunities for girls and women in basketball.
Tipping off at the end of March, they will engage in a series of monthly leadership webinars aimed at strengthening the development of their projects and broadening their leadership capabilities.
Running until August, the sessions will also create a positive space for peer exchange and collaboration across regions. The program will culminate at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 in Berlin, where participants will present their initiatives on a global stage.
This will also involve competing for a Molten Development Grant of up to 10,000 US dollars to help further develop and scale their projects. Molten, a global partner of FIBA for more than 40 years, is supporting this initiative as part of its continued commitment to the development of basketball and the growth of the women's game worldwide.
Head of Brand Marketing at Molten Corporation, Noa Hasegawa, stated: "At Molten, we believe that the true value of sport lies in the power of emotion - the passion, the resilience, and the connections built on and off the court.
"Through our support of the FIBA Women Leaders Program, we are committed to ensuring that these emotions are accessible to everyone, not just as players, but as the visionary leaders who sustain the game.
"By empowering these talented women across Oceania, Europe, and beyond, we are not only addressing the challenge of dropout rates but are actively building a diverse infrastructure for the future."
He added: "As we look toward the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026, our goal is to create an impact that resonates far beyond the final buzzer. We want to inspire a new generation to stay in the game and lead it, ensuring that the 'emotion' of basketball continues to thrive for years to come.’’ This initiative is being launched as a pilot program, with the goal of growing into a regular Women in Basketball leadership initiative that supports women leaders making an impact in basketball communities worldwide. It has been made possible thanks to the support and collaboration of FIBA's Regional Offices and various Federations, as well as the FIBA Foundation.
Finally, the FIBA Women Leaders' Program, supported by Molten, also highlights the achievements of the Women in Basketball leadership initiatives, such as WiLEAD and Adelante, which continue to strengthen global pathways for women by building confidence, capability, and meaningful connections.
FIBA