Suriname successfully defended the IKF Pan-American Korfball Championship title in Paramaribo, sealing the series against Brazil with emphatic victories at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal.
The championship, held from 8 to 10 October 2026 and organised by the Suriname Korfball Federation, featured a best-of-three series between the two nations. All three matches were played. Suriname opened with a 20-2 win on Friday, then followed with a 27-12 victory on Saturday. With two wins already secured, Suriname claimed the continental crown for the third consecutive edition, having previously triumphed in 2018 (Cali) and 2022 (Buenos Aires). The third and final match also finished in the local team’s favor (20-3).
The result underlines Suriname’s continued dominance in the Americas. Ranked among the world’s stronger sides and with recent fifth-place finishes at the IKF World Korfball Championships, the team—coached by Ivan Karsters—delivered a composed and clinical performance on home soil. Brazil competed with determination throughout the series and remain an important force for the development of the sport in the region. Both nations have already secured qualification for the IKF World Korfball Championship 2027 in the Netherlands.
The championship also formed part of a broader effort to grow korfball in Suriname. Parallel activities included a youth mini-tournament involving children who had been training in the weeks leading up to the event, a demonstration match featuring influencers alongside players from both squads, and the continuation of a multi-year programme training physical-education teachers as korfball instructors. These initiatives, developed in cooperation with local partners, aim to embed the sport more firmly in schools and nurture the next generation of Surinamese talent.
Photos by Kees Slot @diver_kees
The IKF extends its sincere thanks to the Suriname Korfball Federation, the Ministry of Youth Development and Sport under Minister Lalinie Gopal, the Anthony Nesty Sporthal staff, all match officials, referees, volunteers, technical teams, and sponsors who made the event possible. Their collaboration ensured a well-organised championship that combined high-level competition with meaningful grassroots activity.
Full match details, statistics, and top-scorer lists are available on www.worldkorfball.sport. Highlights and further content continue on the official IKF and IKF Americas channels under #PAKC2026.
Congratulations to Suriname on retaining the Pan-American title, and to both teams for their contribution to the growth of korfball across the Americas.
