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Apr 19th 2018

Molten Corporation Becomes Global Partner of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation

International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) has named the Molten Corporation as its new global partner and official ball partner. As the official game ball, Molten will supply its Molten GG7X and GG6X for all world competitions as well as the zonal qualifying tournaments directly leading up to them, beginning with the 2018 World Championships taking place in Hamburg, Germany this August. The partnership also includes a collaboration on a variety of cross-promotional marketing opportunities to enhance the Molten brand across the sport of wheelchair basketball and likewise the IWBF brand. The three-year agreement has been built upon FIBA’s relationship with Molten, where previously FIBA supplied IWBF with Molten basketballs. Kiyo Tamiaki, President and CEO of Molten Corporation, said: “It is our great pleasure to execute our partnership with IWBF, allowing Molten basketballs to be used as the official game ball for competitions at the global level. Wheelchair basketball is such an exciting sport both for players and audience. We are honoured to be an IWBF global partner.” Ulf Mehrens, IWBF President, said: “Over a number of years FIBA have been the provider of our game balls. We are very proud to have signed a new agreement which directly involves Molten and makes them the first global partner of IWBF. In Molten we have found a long-term and traditional partner who will not only ensure we have the best basketballs for our main world competitions and zonal qualification tournaments but will also boost our efforts in increasing the exposure of the sport worldwide. I’d like to thank FIBA for their role in the agreement and their overall support.” Patrick Baumann, FIBA Secretary General and International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member, said: “In recent years, FIBA and IWBF have enjoyed an increased cooperation. The relationship is going from strength to strength, to the extent that one of our sport’s key stakeholders is able to forge a partnership all of its own with our long-standing partner of more than 30 years. This is a momentous occasion for IWBF, FIBA and Molten.”