Dilli Dhurandhars are the first champions of the Korfball Premier League. On the final day of a 16-day season at Thyagraj Indoor Stadium, they edged Dangal Warriors 17–15 to close India’s first professional mixed-gender korfball competition.
The match stayed tight throughout. Dilli led 8–7 at the break and held their nerve in the second half to secure the title under the league’s slogan “Naya Khel, Nayi Soch” (New Sport, New Thinking). The victory completes a campaign that began on 19 September and brought Indian and international players onto the same court in a franchise format new to the sport.
A compact professional model
The Korfball Premier League was launched in April 2026 and organised with the support of the Korfball Federation of India. Eight franchise teams competed in a single-venue programme designed to fit a full league-and-knockout schedule into just over two weeks. Squads mixed players selected through Indian pathways with international athletes from more than 15 countries; roughly 62 of the 112 registered players were Indian and about 50 came from abroad. Every match was played under International Korfball Federation rules, with four women and four men on court at all times, shared coaching staffs, and IKF-standard officiating that paired an IKF referee with a local official.
Photo: IKF
The group stage ran from 19 September to 2 October, generally with two matches a day. The top four advanced to semi-finals on 3 October. Dilli Dhurandhars defeated Thala Strikers in the first semi-final. In the second, Dangal Warriors beat Telugu Legends, the decisive moment coming via a golden goal. Other franchises in the inaugural field included Gujarat Royals, Fateh Warriors and UP Hustlers.
The league also trialled a Decision Review System (DRS), giving teams the chance to challenge selected decisions with video replay — the first professional use of the technology in korfball. Matches were broadcast in India on Star Sports and JioHotstar and streamed more widely, including on ABP Sports YouTube channel.
Final and individual highlights
The championship match itself reflected the season’s character: high intensity, close scores and shared responsibility between the men’s and women’s divisions. Dilli Dhurandhars, captained by Sarang Sharma, controlled the key passages after the interval to finish 17–15 winners. Dangal Warriors, who had reached the final through the golden-goal semi-final, pushed them all the way.
Across the tournament the leading scorers underlined the international mix. India’s Kumari Tamanna finished top with 33 goals, just ahead of Hungary’s Lili Vágó on 32. Malaysia’s Qi Xun Chia (28) and Hungary’s Zsolt Majer (27) followed, with Portugal’s Diogo Ribeiro (25) and Czechia’s Ivan Zak (24) also prominent. Indian players Shakshi Sharma (22), Sarang Sharma, Sourbh Dalal and Kummankattil Shilpa (18 each) were among those who featured regularly in the scoring charts.
Photo: IKF
What the first season showed
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a message of support during the tournament, noting the sport’s emphasis on teamwork and equal opportunity. For the International Korfball Federation, the season offered a practical test of a franchise model that places domestic and international talent side by side under one set of rules and a single host venue, with prize money for the champions.
The closing ceremony followed the final at the same New Delhi venue. With the first title decided and a full set of results, statistics and broadcasts now on record, the Korfball Premier League has given korfball in India — already active in more than 25 states — its first national professional window. The IKF will follow how the lessons from officiating, the DRS trial and the mixed squads inform the next steps for the competition and for the sport’s wider development.
Live Streams
All matches could be watched live in India through the JioHotstar platform in India (Indian phone needed), and in the US and Canada through Willow TV. Games were available also worldwide on YouTube.com/@ABPLIVESports (not in India) and on worldkorfball.sport website.
DAILY LIVE BROADCAST By @ABPLiveSports 🔴 Korfball Premier League (Season 1, 2026)
Live matches, fixtures, statistics, top scorers, rankings and play-by-play actions are available on worldkorfball.sport website and on KPL official channels:
- Official website: korfballpremierleague.com
- On Instagram: @KorfballPremierLeague
- On Facebook: Korfball Premier League
- On X: @korfballpremier
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