Register now for next June’s IKF Coach & Referee Courses in Hong Kong

The International Korfball Federation and Hong Kong China Korfball Association are organising several official korfball courses for next June at the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) – Hong Kong, China.

IKF Coach Courses – Level II (23-25 June) & Level III (26-29 June)
Instructor: Jan Sjouke van den Bos

IKF Referee Courses – Level I (23-25 June) & Level II (26-29 June)
Instructor: Jorge Alves

Venue: Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) Hong Kong, China.

Organisation: IKF & HKCKA

  • The number of attendees for every course is limited.
  • All interested should contact the HKCKA and IKF|DEC to receive more information and the admission conditions.
  • Email: postmaster@korfball.org.hk with CC to jorge.alves@ikf.org

Registration deadline: 31 March 2024

Instructors:

Jan Sjouke van de Bos is a top master coach at the IKF and the KNKV after a long career as a player and former head coach of several Dutch clubs and the Dutch national team, with several gold medals at the World Championships, Europeans and World Games. His mission during the last years has been to raise the international level around the world, and share his great and remarkable expertise and coaching knowledge through clinics, seminars and courses to help other countries and clubs developing korfball in their regions.

Jorge Alves is the Chair of IKF Development & Education Committee and the IKF Playing Rules Committee. Mr. Alves is a seasoned korfball developer, coach, referee, and coaching and refereeing instructor. He has had a very long and extensive career as an international referee, including having refereed at 5 World Championships, 3 World Games and 18 finals of major events. Apart from this, he has also been coach of multiple teams in the Portuguese Korfball League, and of the national team of Brazil. As an educator, he has taught both referee and coach courses in Portugal and internationally.

IKF Pin of Merit awarded to Brian Koppelaar

The International Korfball Federation Executive Committee has today awarded long-term volunteer Brian Koppelaar the IKF Pin of Merit for his outstanding service to the International Korfball Federation. 

Brian is a member of Papendrechtse Korfbal Club (PKC) in the Netherlands and a long-time volunteer with the IKF. The Pin of Merit was awarded for his outstanding contributions to developing and promoting korfball worldwide.  

Brian is a key part of a dedicated team responsible for the production and delivery of our live stream of our events. The platform that Brian has created allows us to integrate with numerous international broadcasters, creating images that are now seen by millions of people each year.  

Brian’s passion and can-do attitude is infectious, there are no challenges too big either, so far, we have not come across a technical issue that he and his team have not been able to resolve.  

The IKF Executive Committee is forever grateful for the dedication of Brian, and to all the volunteers supporting the IKF, National Federations and clubs throughout the world.

IKF President Gabi Kool presents the Pin of Merit to Brian Koppelaar  

Photos: Gertrude de Vries ©

Jorge Alves Named Senior Vice President of the International Korfball Federation

The IKF is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Jorge Alves as the Senior Vice President. This decision, made by the Executive Committee, recognises Mr. Alves’ outstanding commitment and contributions to the IKF.

Mr. Alves has been a dedicated member of the IKF for several years, actively promoting the growth and inclusivity of korfball globally. The appointment reflects the Executive Committee’s confidence in his ability to further enhance the sport’s reach and impact.

The IKF congratulates Mr. Jorge Alves on this well-deserved appointment and looks forward to his continued leadership in advancing korfball internationally.

Header images: Krit Suttipithuk

Job Opening: Executive Assistant with Strategic Responsibilities

The International Korfball Federation (IKF) is looking to recruit an Executive Assistant with Strategic Responsibilities for its organization and encourages all those that are interested and capable to apply.

The IKF is seeking talented individuals to join our dedicated team. This team collaborates to advance the IKF’s mission and uphold the spirit of korfball worldwide.

If you are passionate about sports administration, event management, and contributing to the success of a global sports organisation, we invite you to explore this opportunity below.

 

Job Description:

Elevate your career as an Executive Assistant based in our Lisbon office, supporting the CEO and Executive Committee in driving the vision of the International Korfball Federation. This role entails strategic tasks, project management, and offers a flexible full-time schedule with travel opportunities.

 

Responsibilities:

1. Collaborate with the CEO, Executive Committee, and committees.

2. Support IKF’s overall goals and mission.

3. Cooperate in the implementation of the IKF strategy, incorporating input from the IKF Council and stakeholders.

4. Assist in preparing procedures/documentation for governance and compliance.

5. Cooperate in project management

6. Ensure effective communication and coordination.

7. Contribute to process improvement.

8. Handle additional tasks as assigned by CEO and Executive Committee.

 

Requirements:

1. Advanced academic background in Administration, Management, or a related field.

2. Substantial experience in executive assistance and project management roles.

3. Strong leadership skills and the ability to make informed decisions.

4. Good interpersonal skills and a preference for teamwork.

5. Sense of responsibility, proactivity, and excellent organisational abilities.

6. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

7. Strong communication skills, both oral and written. Fluency in spoken and written English.

8. Good knowledge of Microsoft Office.

 

Benefits:

1. Competitive salary.

2. Opportunity to work directly with leaders of an international sports federation.

3. Involvement in strategic projects and high-impact initiatives.

4. Advanced professional development and growth opportunities.

 

Application Process:

We invite you to submit your application, including a motivation letter and CV, electronically. All applications in English should be directed to the IKF CEO, Joana Faria, at joana.faria@ikf.org, no later than January 15, 2024.

Thank you for considering a career with the International Korfball Federation. We look forward to reviewing your applications and welcoming selected talents to the next phase of the process.

 

 

About the International Korfball Federation

Established in 1933, the International Korfball Federation (IKF) stands as the global governing body for korfball, the unique mixed-gender team sport that originated over 110 years ago in the Netherlands. Embracing inclusivity, korfball is played on all five continents, showcasing its universal appeal. Currently overseeing over 70 member countries, the IKF anticipates controlled growth in the years ahead. As we embark on a transformative journey, exciting strategic initiatives are underway, encompassing the development of new events and disciplines, and innovative digital strategies.

Recognised by the International Olympic Committee, the IKF proudly holds memberships in ARISF, IWGA, and SportAccord. Our commitment to fair play is reflected in anti-doping rules that align with the World Anti-Doping Code.

Functioning as a predominantly volunteer-driven organisation, the IKF is supported by a dedicated administrative team which serves as the nerve center for daily activities, coordinating efforts in Competitions, Refereeing, Development and Education, Marketing, Planning and Control, Administration, and Public Relations.

Volunteers form the backbone of the IKF, contributing to various committees and events that drive elite competitions, educational courses, and development activities. Their efforts are geared not only towards the sport’s excellence but also promoting principles of health and fairness.

Now, as we continue to expand and enhance our operations, we are seeking talented individuals to join our dedicated team. This dedicated team collaborates to advance the IKF’s mission and uphold the spirit of korfball worldwide.

If you are passionate about sports administration, event management, and contributing to the success of a global sports organisation, we invite you to explore this opportunity to join IKF as an Executive Assistant with Strategic Responsibilities.

Job Opening: Administrative Coordinator and Competition Liaison

The International Korfball Federation (IKF) is looking to recruit a new Administrative Coordinator and Competition Liaison for its organization and encourages all those that are interested and capable to apply.

The IKF is seeking talented individuals to join our dedicated team. This team collaborates to advance the IKF’s mission and uphold the spirit of korfball worldwide.

If you are passionate about sports administration, event management, and contributing to the success of a global sports organisation, we invite you to explore this opportunity below.

Job Description:

Join the IKF team as an Administrative Coordinator based in our Lisbon office. In this role, you will play a key part in ensuring the smooth functioning of our operations and managing international competitions. If you have a background in administration, a passion for sports, and excellent organisational skills, we want to hear from you!

 

Responsibilities:

1. Collaborate with the CEO, Executive Committee, and committees.

2. Support IKF’s overall goals and mission.

3. Ensure effective communication and coordination.

4. Contribute to process improvement.

5. Manage daily communication with stakeholders, ensuring effective and timely updates, and oversee agenda and appointments to ensure smooth coordination.

6. Managing the communication process related to IKF events.

7. Oversee grants, covering preparation, writing applications, project management, and evaluation reports related to the countries’ activities.

8. Support the IKF strategy development process and contribute to governance and compliance tasks.

9. Handle additional tasks as assigned by CEO and Executive Committee.

 

Requirements:

1. Relevant academic background in Administration, Sports Management, or a related field.

2. Previous experience in administrative roles, preferably in sports organisations.

3. Strong organisational skills and the ability to thrive in dynamic environments.

4. Good interpersonal skills and a preference for teamwork.

5. Sense of responsibility, proactivity, and excellent organisational abilities.

6. Strong communication skills, both oral and written. Fluency in spoken and written English.

7. Good knowledge of Microsoft Office.

 

Benefits:

1. Competitive salary.

2. Opportunity to be involved in thrilling international sports events.

3. Continuous professional development.

4. Collaborative work environment.

 

Application Process:

We invite you to submit your application, including a motivation letter and CV, electronically. All applications in English should be directed to the IKF CEO, Joana Faria, at joana.faria@ikf.org, no later than January 15, 2024.

Thank you for considering a career with the International Korfball Federation. We look forward to reviewing your applications and welcoming selected talents to the next phase of the process.

 

About the International Korfball Federation

Established in 1933, the International Korfball Federation (IKF) stands as the global governing body for korfball, the unique mixed-gender team sport that originated over 110 years ago in the Netherlands. Embracing inclusivity, korfball is played on all five continents, showcasing its universal appeal. Currently overseeing over 70 member countries, the IKF anticipates controlled growth in the years ahead. As we embark on a transformative journey, exciting strategic initiatives are underway, encompassing the development of new events and disciplines, and innovative digital strategies.

Recognised by the International Olympic Committee, the IKF proudly holds memberships in ARISF, IWGA, and SportAccord. Our commitment to fair play is reflected in anti-doping rules that align with the World Anti-Doping Code.

Functioning as a predominantly volunteer-driven organisation, the IKF is supported by a dedicated administrative team which serves as the nerve center for daily activities, coordinating efforts in Competitions, Refereeing, Development and Education, Marketing, Planning and Control, Administration, and Public Relations.

Volunteers form the backbone of the IKF, contributing to various committees and events that drive elite competitions, educational courses, and development activities. Their efforts are geared not only towards the sport’s excellence but also promoting principles of health and fairness.

Now, as we continue to expand and enhance our operations, we are seeking talented individuals to join our dedicated team. This dedicated team collaborates to advance the IKF’s mission and uphold the spirit of korfball worldwide.

If you are passionate about sports administration, event management, and contributing to the success of a global sports organisation, we invite you to explore this opportunity to join IKF asan  Administrative Coordinator and Competition Liaison.

Gabi Kool Elected as International Korfball Federation President: Charting a Progressive Course for Global Korfball

Taipei City, October 28, 2023 – The International Korfball Federation (IKF) convened for a significant General Meeting in Taipei City, during which Dutch national and resident of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Mr. Gabi Kool was unanimously chosen as the federation’s 8th President. 

Mr. Kool, with his roots as a former elite korfball athlete and subsequent experience in leading global marketing initiatives, is uniquely positioned to take the helm. Known for his talent in nurturing brands and amplifying fan engagement, his expertise promises to usher in a new era of growth and connectivity for korfball on a global scale. 

Having already demonstrated his leadership capabilities by taking over the management of the IKF Executive Committee last year, Mr. Kool’s tenure saw the collaborative creation of ‘2032+ – Better Together’, a vision for korfball’s future. This blueprint was diligently formed across a series of workshops in 2023, harnessing insights from many national federations, signifying a collective ambition for the sport. 

Further enriching the IKF’s global landscape, the General Meeting proudly welcomed four new national korfball federations: 

  1. Egyptian Federation for Recreational Sports and Games (EGY) 
  2. Federación Mexicana de Korfball (MEX) 
  3. Federação de Corfebol de São Tomé e Príncipe (STP) 
  4. Uganda Korfball Association (UGA) 

This expansion brings the global korfball federation count to an impressive 71. Preceding this crucial General Meeting was the World Korfball Congress themed ‘Rising in a Changing Society’. Here, innovative plans for the growth of beach korfball and the forthcoming urban korfball format were unveiled. For an insightful look into these disciplines, Mr. Kool’s brief presentation prior to the bronze medal match at the World Championship can be viewed below.

Future tournament locations also saw the light of day, with Pattaya, Thailand, securing its position as the host for the World Beach Korfball Championship from 26-28 April 2024. Additionally, two World Cup tournaments planned for 2024 in Europe and Asia will soon be unveiling their host cities. Importantly, these events will be crucial qualifiers for the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, marking the debut of Beach Korfball and further expanding the competition’s scope. 

The IKF wishes to extend its heartfelt thanks to Mr. Jan Fransoo for his unwavering dedication since 2003 and warmly embraces Mr. Gabi Kool as its new guiding force. Under Kool’s leadership, the IKF envisions a future where korfball reaches newer heights and further strengthens its global presence. 

For further inquiries and details, please contact: Dean Woods, Head of Media and Communications | dean.woods@ikf.org 

Jan Fransoo awarded Honorary Life President after 20-year term as IKF president

Jan Fransoo today concluded an extraordinary 20-year term as International Korfball Federation (IKF) President. Fransoo has been succeeded by Gabi Kool who was voted in as the new President of the International Korfball Federation during the General Meeting 2023.

At the IKF General Meeting held on Saturday, 28 October in Taipei City, Jan received multiple standing ovations as well as a moving tribute by IKF CEO and General Secretary, Joana Faria.

The IKF General Meeting awarded Jan Fransoo with the Honorary Life President award for his outstanding contributions to the sport.

Jan Fransoo and Joana Faria (IKF General Secretary and CEO)

Joana said to the General Meeting and IKF officials that had gathered in the conference hall: “It is an honour to stand before you today and pay tribute to Jan Fransoo, the President of the International Korfball Federation, for his twenty years of service and unwavering commitment to the sport of korfball.

“Under his leadership, the sport has grown and flourished to become a truly global organisation. Today, we gather not only to acknowledge his outstanding contributions to our beloved sport but also to celebrate his leadership, vision, and unwavering dedication to the IKF

“The growth of continents outside of Europe, the professional presentation of our sport and the increased exposure through different media channels has been a big factor in this global growth of our sport.

“But Jan’s impact goes beyond the numbers and statistics. It is in the countless lives he has touched, the inspiration he has provided, and the sense of belonging he has nurtured. He has not just been a President; he has been a mentor, a role model, and a friend to many within the korfball community.

“Over the past two decades, Jan has demonstrated an exceptional ability to unite people from all corners of the globe under the banner of korfball. His passion for the growth of our sport has paved the way for countless countries to play korfball both at grass roots, and international level. His dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion has made korfball a sport that welcomes people of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. Jan’s commitment to fostering a sense of belonging in our korfball community is truly commendable.

“Under Jan’s guidance, the IKF has successfully hosted increasingly bigger and more professional tournaments such as World Championships and World Games events, showcasing our sport on the world stage in a way that korfball had previously never been seen. His determination to push the boundaries of the sport has resulted in increased recognition and respect for korfball across a variety of international sporting circles.

“Jan has been actively involved in promoting korfball development programs, supporting new technology initiatives, and advocating for gender equity within the sport. His commitment to equality has set a shining example for many others to follow. By promoting mixed-gender teams and equal opportunities for athletes all over the world, Jan has made the sport more inclusive and inspiring for us all.

“Thank you for your dedication, your passion, and your unwavering commitment to the sport of korfball.”

Mr. Shih-Chung, Director of Sports Administration, Ministry of Education also attended the meeting and thanked Jan for his years of dedicated service to the sport, and presented a First Class Medal for Contributions to the Field of Education. Jan was also presented with an Award Certificate and a special gift for his outstanding contribution to developing and expanding the international sport exchanges of Chinese Taipei.

Jan Fransoo, Mr. Shih-Chung and Gabi Kool

Both the Royal Dutch Korfball Association (KNKV) and the Royal Belgian Korfball Federation (KBKB) awarded Jan Fransoo an Honorary Membership.

Netherlands captain, Daan Preuninger presented a gift to Jan Fransoo on behalf of the KNKV and all athletes both past and present.

Fransoo continues to serve on the International World Games Association Executive (IWGA) Committee. He is serving his second term as IWGA ExCo Member after being reelected in 2023.

His contributions to the sport of korfball are immense and he will be remembered for his dedication and service to the sport. Thank you, Jan.,

Photos: Krit Suttipithuk

Jan Fransoo presents distinctions during the World Korfball Awards 2023

International Korfball Federation President, Jan Fransoo, during his final IKF General Meeting on Saturday 28 October, presented distinctions to members of the IKF who have dedicated multiple years of service to the IKF and the sport of korfball.  Congratulations to all and thank you for all that you have done. 

The World Korfball Awards 2023 for National Federation winners was also announced during the IKF General Meeting.    

Gert DIJKSTRA – IKF Badge of Honour 

Gert Dijkstra has had a lifelong involvement in korfball, and also has been active internationally in many roles, primarily as a referee and jury member, joining the IKF in 2004, before joining the executive committee officially from 2011.  

Fransoo said: “Under Gert’s leadership, the IKF competition calendar has grown tremendously, and probably faster and to more events than Gert considered to be feasible. In many of these events, especially many major events like World Championships, World Games, and European Championships, Gert served as Coordinating Officer, working closely with many of you in our National Organizations” 

“As a chair of the playing rules committee, Gert oversaw major changes such as the new free pass rules and the shot clock. Very importantly, Gert always closely aligned initiatives with the major national korfball leagues to ensure we keep a single set of korfball playing rules globally.” 

Jan Fransoo awards IKF Badge of Honour to Gert DIJKSTRA. Photo: Krit Suttipithuk

Jan Fransoo awards IKF Badge of Honour to Gert DIJKSTRA. Photo: Krit Suttipithuk

Danielle RUTS – IKF Badge of Honour 

Danielle has been Treasurer of the IKF for 16 years. Initially Danielle combined this with also being treasurer at the Royal Belgian Korfball Federation (KBKB). 

Fransoo said: “Danielle combined the IKF role with the Presidency of the KBKB. This was a very successful Presidency, with probably as highlight the World Korfball Championship in 2015 in the presence of King Filip of Belgium, and the centennial of the KBKB in 2021. 

“I have appreciated Danielle for always, and I repeat, always, prioritizing korfball ahead of any national or continental interests” 

“Danielle, for all your efforts in korfball, the IKF Council has decided to award you the IKF Badge of Honour.” 

Jan Fransoo awards IKF Badge of Honour to Danielle RUTS. Photo: Krit Suttipithuk

Jan Fransoo awards IKF Badge of Honour to Danielle RUTS. Photo: Krit Suttipithuk

Professor Inglish Huang – IKF Honorary Member 

A special presentation was awarded to Professor Inglish HUANG, IKF Vice-President for Asia, President of IKF Asia, and former Secretary General and Vice-President of the Chinese Taipei Korfball Association.  

President Fransoo said: “Inglish has joined the IKF Council in 2003, at the same time as I was elected as your President. This implies that Inglish today celebrates 20 years of membership of the IKF Council, and 20 years at the helm of IKF Asia. And it only testifies to your enormous recognition in this massive continent that earlier this week you were re-elected unanimously as President of IKF Asia 

“Inglish played for many years on the national team of Chinese Taipei. He was designated by CTKA founder Professor Eugene Chen to lead the development of korfball in Taiwan and Asia 

“Inglish’s major contributions for korfball have been in the very impressive development of korfball across Asia. Almost all countries in Asia bear Inglish’s signature. Korea has been established through the exchange program of Inglish’s school. Inglish joined me and Ben Crum on the first korfball promotion trip to China in 2004. All countries in continental South East Asia have been established through Inglish’s efforts. Inglish spans a very wide set of skills, as he is not only excellent at building and developing relationships, but also is an excellent instructor for coaches and national teams. As part of his activities and initiatives, the CTKA and many korfball players have actively helped in across many countries, oftentimes contributing by funding this out of their own pocket… Inglish has created a culture of mutual support among all the Asian countries, to which many countries in other continents can take an example.” 

“Inglish continually surrounds himself with powerful female organizers in IKF Asia, such as Esther, Akiko, Daphne, Supranee, Lisa, and Penny, just to name a few of the recent ones. These Asian women as leaders in korfball are a profound example to many other places in the world” 

“… I want to make an important proposal to the General Meeting, and that is to appoint Professor Inglish Ying-Che Huang as Honorary Member of the International Korfball Federation” 

Jan Fransoo awards Inglish Huang with the IKF Honorary Member. Photo: Krit Suttipithuk

Jan Fransoo awards Inglish Huang with the IKF Honorary Member. Photo: Krit Suttipithuk

IKF World Korfball Awards 2023 

1) Excellence in Governance 

Awarded to: Malaysia Korfball Association 

Malaysia Korfball Association has had a spectacular development in recent years. The association is led by a board setting clear and realistic development goals with accompanying action plans. The volunteers are structurally involved in the association, and furthermore actively contribute to IKF developments by being members of committees. Their strong rise of development includes various korfball courses in online, onsite, and hybrid formats. Their communication with the IKF is always open, transparent and timely. They are undertaking continuous efforts to get the recognition and support of national sport institutions. 

Presented to: Ms. Daphne Lau Wai Fun – President 
Presented by: Danielle Ruts 

Photo: Krit Suttipithuk

2) Best grassroots development 

Awarded to: Fédération Korfball France 

Fédération Korfball France gets this award for its school projects and the impact thereof. The federation has been involved with the 2021 Erasmus+ project; managing with a vision. This was a collaboration between IKF and 6 European National Federations (France, Wales, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, Switzerland). Through this project the FKF defined a development goal to increase the number of players, with action required in three pillars. One of these pillars was korfball at schools. They formed partnerships with two umbrella school sports organizations, to teach the PE teachers about korfball. This school program is thus not only focused on increasing the number of kids playing korfball, but also on educating PE teachers across the country. 

Presented to: Jorge Alves who received the award on behalf Fédération Korfball France 

Photo: Krit Suttipithuk

3) Best Elite Development 

Awarded to: Deutscher Turner Bund e.V/Korfball Deutschland 

The senior team of Korfball Deutschland has shown high quality of korfball with matching results at IKF event in recent years. In 2018, they surprised the korfball world by beating Belgium in the semi-final at the IKF European Korfball Championship, claiming silver after the final against the Netherlands. This outstanding achievement turned out to be a omen of what was to come. Germany finished 5th at the IKF World Korfbal Championship, 3rd at the IKF European Korfball Championship A-Division 2021, and 4th at The World Games 2023. Their impressive results are reflected in the World Korfball Ranking, where Germany currently holds 4th position, with just a 10 points difference to Chinese Taipei. 

Presented to: Jochen Schittowksi – Board member Korfball Deutschland 
Presented by: Gert Dijkstra 

Photo: Krit Suttipithuk

4) Best Event 

Awarded to: Association Marocaine de Korfball for the IKF World Beach Korfball Championship 2022. 

After the postponement of the event by one year due to the pandemic, the IKF World Beach Korfball Championship 2022 was hosted by Association Marocaine de Korfball on the beautiful beached of Nador, in August 2022. This was the first IKF event hosted by the federation, and debuting with such a high profile event was no easy task. The federation and its volunteers went above and beyond to create a distinct beach korfball sphere, with lots of spectators, beautiful arenas and excellent competition conditions. They went above and beyond to provide all athletes and attendees with the best possible experience. The event was used by the federation to promote (beach) korfball in Nador and beyond. 

Presented by: Anita Derks who received the award on behalf of Association Marocaine de Korfball.

Photo: Krit Suttipithuk

5) Innovation 

Awarded to: Japan Korfball Association 

The award for innovation is presented to Japan Korfball Association. The federation started a partnership with Other Sports World to promote korfball. Other Sports World is a provider of monthly subscription services, focused on the lesser-known sports. Korfball has been incorporated in their services, which makes a significant contribution to the promotion of korfball. People are trying out the sport and the federation hopes to bind the enthusiasm to korfball for a longer period of time. 

Presented to: Hajime Shinohara – Board member Japan Korfball Association 
Presented by: Bjorn Elewaut 

6) Best initiative for cooperation 

In the global korfball community, there are a lot of cooperation projects between national federations, and this award is created to highlight those projects. The first edition of this award is presented to Chinese Taipei Korfball Association. The CTKA has been critical to the development of korfball in Asia, specifically the South East Asia region, for years. The CTKA has close relationships with the Asian national federations and actively identifies in which areas these federation could use support. Based on the identified needs they provide materials, knowledge and support. For example, recently the CTKA send athletes and coaches to Indonesia to conduct various korfball players- and coach courses. 

Presented to: Vincent HUANG (President CTKA) 
Presented by: Gabi Kool 

 

IKF Europe milestone achieved with the formation of a new Executive Committee

An installation meeting for a new IKF Europe Executive Committee was held in Taipei prior to the General Assembly of the International Korfball Federation (IKF). The formation of this committee is a significant milestone for European korfball, as there has been no European voice in the IKF council for some time.  

Previous attempts to create a European confederation ultimately proved unsustainable. Now, a different approach has been followed with the composition of an IKF European task force that has been working on the preparation of a new ExCO for the past 2 years. Members of Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, England and Poland formed this task force. 

The working group laid the foundation for a mission statement and determined the objectives for IKF Europe and the associated critical success factors. The mission statement is to bring together all European federations with a focus on further development of the sport in all respects and cooperation across national borders through the exchange of knowledge and expertise.  

Yves Daelmans (Belgium) was elected president of IKF Europe and said, “We have been able to put together a driven ExCo team for this purpose, with representation from A to D countries and with the necessary geographical spread. As A countries, the Netherlands and Belgium take their responsibility in this new ExCo.  

“It soon became apparent that there was a need for a body to connect the European countries and take a position within IKF, because the number of topics that were presented so far is already considerable.” Yves Daelmans will combine this extra role with his position of director of international relations within the Belgian federation. 

The IKF Europe ExCo consists of the following people: 

President: Yves Daelmans (Belgium). Members: Carles Albà (Catalonia), Clive Dobbin (England), Anne Harrow (Scotland), Henry van Meerten (Netherlands) and Iwona Zak (Poland) 

Kit McConnell welcomes attendees to the World Korfball Congress

At the World Korfball Congress 2023 which was held Taipei City during the World Korfball Championships, 25 – 26 October 2023, Gabi Kool, Chair of Executive Committee and Executive Vice President for the International Korfball Federation (IKF) read out a letter to attendees received from Kit McConnell, the Sports Director of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).  

Kit said: “The vision outlined in the International Korfball Federations’ “Strategy 2032” is inspiring. Congratulations to the International Korfball Federation for your unwavering dedication to promoting gender equality and fostering inclusivity through sport. This is a shared commitment that resonated with us all. 

Korfball, at its core, thrives on cooperation, both on and off the pitch. The IOC stands inspired by your commitment to fostering cooperation and your dedication to reaching younger generations. 

Together, let’s continue to build a brighter and equal future 

The IKF is committed to working better together with our members and partners, and we are excited about the future opportunities for the sport of korfball. Thank you to all that attended in person in Taipei City and for everyone that connected remotely. Check out our social media channels for photos taken throughout the congress.

Photo: Qi Lim