Bright future for korfball in Hong Kong, says Sport Minister at AOKC opening

“There is a bright future for korfball in Hong Kong”, Jonathan McKinley, Deputy Secretary of Home Affairs of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR – the equivalent of Sport Minister in other countries – said at the opening ceremony of the 9th IKF Asia-Oceania Korfball Championship. Kinley added that Hong Kong residents like new sports, and the mixed gender spirit of the game very much matches Hong Kong’s society.

Growth of korfball in the island territory has been remarkable, with the majority of universities playing korfball, a domestic korfball league and regular tournaments and championships in all age categories, both indoor, outdoor, and on the beach. With the hosting the AOKC this year, the Association aims to reach the general public to make a next step in korfball”s popularity.

McKinley addressed the participants of the Championship and welcomed them to Hong Kong as part of an opening ceremony in which also the IKF President took part, along with the Presidents of IKF Asia and IKF Oceania, and the IKF Secretary General. The guests were welcomed into the venue by traditional bag pipe music.

In the successive opening match of the tournament, the home team beat Korea by a clear margin.