With just a few days to go before the start of the 2014 Pan American Korfball Championship, the Colombian team is ready for its first international experience. Led by Pedro Sanchez, the team had an intense preparation programme over the past few months, comprising four training sessions per week. Colombia trained in the open-air coliseum that served as the successful korfball venue for last year’s World Games: a place with special memories for the players and officials of all eight countries that competed in that tournament in Cali.

Most players set to represent Colombia are students of the university la Escuela Nacional de Deporte. This university supports its students by giving those who made the selection a korfball scholarship, as well as providing the team some financial support. Most of the Colombian players selected for the national team have played korfball seriously for over a year. While some became inspired watching korfball during the World Games, only a few talented players of this new group made it to the final selection.

Every single player is eagerly anticipating the start of the tournament. For each this is their first opportunity to play an official IKF game, and the chance to finally experience the rewards of all the dedication and effort they have put into korfball over the last year.