FIBA Women Leaders' Program Announces Winners Supported by Molten

MIES (Switzerland) - The FIBA Women Leaders' Program, supported by Molten, concluded recently during the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026, awarding funding to three participants for their innovative projects. Participants from around the world gathered in Berlin after joining the program in February, aimed at enhancing women's basketball globally. Molten, a FIBA Global Partner for over 40 years, continued to back this initiative, which aspires to be a regular leadership program for women in basketball.

Funded through collaboration with FIBA's Regional Offices, National Federations, and the FIBA Foundation, the program required participants to present their projects to a panel. Proposals needed to align with FIBA's Women in Basketball strategic priorities, addressing challenges such as increasing girls' participation and retention, creating sustainable community programs, and enhancing visibility for women athletes.

The projects covered various topics, such as media storytelling, grassroots tournaments, mentorship programs, and community development platforms. Monthly leadership webinars helped participants refine their ideas and build leadership skills, fostering collaboration across FIBA regions. The selection panel included notable figures such as Ryo Kurahashi from Molten and Amanda Jenkins from FIBA Oceania.

A total of $10,000 was provided by the Molten Development Grant, with an additional $5,000 from the FIBA Foundation for the winners to further develop their projects. Tina Krajisnik from Serbia received $7,000 for her winning project, followed by Virginia Zheng from China with $5,000 and Meaghan Wilby from New Zealand with $3,000. Krajisnik expressed pride in the recognition of her initiative’s potential for global impact.

The program in Berlin transformed months of online work into an immersive experience, allowing participants to engage in workshops and gain insights during the Women's Basketball World Cup. Their project presentations reflected the confidence and clarity they developed, creating a vibrant international network of women leaders in basketball.