PRESS RELEASE - Issued August 31st, 2006
British Basketball Federation selects Molten as official match ball
The British Basketball Federation (BBF), established in 2005 to field teams representing Great Britain in the lead up to the London Olympic Games in 2012, has agreed a deal with Molten, world leaders in the manufacture of inflatable sports balls, in which the Molten G-Series basketball is to become the BBF’s official training and match ball, it was announced today August 31, 2006.
All Great Britain men’s and women’s teams, as well as the Under 20 men’s and women’s teams, will play with the Molten G-Series ball from September 2006 onwards.
Comments Bill McInnes, chairman, British Basketball Federation and chairman of Basketball Scotland:
“We are very pleased to have secured this deal with Molten. Our choice of the G-Series as the BBF’s official ball makes eminent sense; not only is it approved by FIBA, but it is also the official match ball for all FIBA tournaments world-wide including the European Championships and the Beijing and London Olympics. Our teams are already in training with the new ball preparing for their first international games in September 2006.”
Bob Hope, chairman of Molten Sports and ex-general manager of the Great Britain Men’s Basketball Team, said:
“We are delighted to be able to support the BBF in their endeavours to produce a winning Great Britain team for the London Olympics in 2012. I believe that, with a successful international programme, basketball will go from strength to strength in the UK.”
ENDS
Digital images of the Molten G-Series basketball are available on request.
For further information, please contact:
Penelope James, Penelope James Public Relations
Tel: 01303 844555 E-mail: penelope@penelopejamespr.com
NOTES FOR EDITORS
BRITISH BASKETBALL FEDERATION
The British Basketball Federation (BBF) represents the governing bodies of basketball in England, Scotland and Wales and is responsible for the organisation of Great Britain teams in international competition. A fundamental of the BBF is to ensure that the organisation and selection of the teams is fully representative of the three home nations.
FIBA Europe has welcomed the establishment of the BBF and the entry of Great Britain teams in their competitions. The Senior Men and Women are currently preparing for the qualifying rounds of the European championships which comprise two home and two away games each in September 2006, with the return games in September 2007.
The GB Under 20 Men and Women teams have already completed their first tournaments, the European championships, where the women narrowly failed in a bid for promotion from Division B, despite a victory over the eventual winners.
Contact BBF at E: info@british-basketball.co.uk
Web: www.british-basketball.co.uk
MOLTEN
The Molten Corporation manufactures a wide range of sports balls from soccer balls and basketballs, to volleyballs and netballs. Established in Hiroshima, Japan in 1958, the corporation boasts unparalleled international recognition of its ball products. Molten Sports is the dedicated distributor of Molten products in the UK and Ireland.
Molten’s G-series basketball, is the new global standard in basketballs. It was heralded by the basketball industry as an inspired technological development when it was launched in 2004 and was immediately approved by FIBA (International Basketball Federation). It has been used in all FIBA competitions worldwide since September 2004.
The radical Molten G-Series basketball is manufactured in 12 panels, rather than the traditional 8. It is packed with ground breaking, Molten patented, technology to enhance player performance including increased rebound speed and playability, as well as improved ball control and shooting accuracy.
Contact Molten Sports on T: 0800 298 8217
E: info@moltensports.co.uk
Web: www.moltensports.co.uk