The Royal Netherlands Korfball Association KNKV today announced to be involved in the Dutch bid for the 2019 European Games. In a statement on its website, KNKV President Rob Meijer expressed confidence in KNKV being able to meet the requirements of the organizing Netherlands Olympic Committee NOC*NSF.

The European Games will be held for the first time in July 2015 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The sports program in Baku contains both Olympic disciplines and disciplines that are not part of the Olympic Program. In the latter category, Olympic Federations present new disciplines (such as 3×3 basketball and beach soccer), joined by IOC Recognized Federations such as karate.

In the program envisaged by the Netherlands’ bid, such mixture will also be created. Korfball being one of the few sports able to fill large indoor stadiums like Ahoy in Rotterdam and Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam to capacity, is likely to draw large crowds to the Games were they held in the Netherlands.

IKF President Fransoo respond happily to the European initiative, as this is fully in line with the IKF strategy to be part of more of the continental games. In Asia, participation in the Asian Indoor Games is being pursued by IKF Asia President Huang.