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

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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 

President’s blog: Happy World Games Year!

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(by Jan Fransoo – IKF President) In July of this year we will celebrate the 10th edition of The World Games. The World Games is the pinnacle of  korfball competitions: the best eight countries in the world compete for the medals in an IOC-recognized multi-sports competition.

With the inclusion of The World Games in Thomas Bach’s Agenda 2020, the importance and exposure of this event has reached a next level. Together with the International World Games Association, the IOC will be more closely involved in the program and organization of this multi-sports competition. With prior World Games sports such as rugby and badminton now on the program of the Olympic Games, and prior Olympic sports such as softball on the program of The World Games, I expect these games to develop into the premier stepping stone closely paired with the Olympic Games. Under the leadership of IOC Member Jose Perurena, the close ties between the IOC and the IWGA that were developed by Ron Froehlich have been strengthened further.

What does this imply for korfball? As a key sport in eight out of nine prior editions of The World Games, and this time being in the first half of the program, the korfball event will offer huge opportunities for exposure of our sport. Media coverage will be more then ever before, as will attention by Members and staff of the IOC. I am sure the athletes will show the best of their performance. The IKF Competitions Committee is working hard to ensure the best possible entertained competition, further improving the excellent spectator experience we have witnessed in Cali in 2013.

In the future, the IKF is targeting to add a second korfball discipline to the program of The World Games. After the inaugural 2017 Open European Beach Korfball Championship and likely Asian Beach Korfball Championship, we plan to work toward a series of beach korfball events that will position us for a beach korfball tournament as part of the 2021 World Games. In this way, two korfball competitions could be part of the 2021 World Games in the USA. Delivering an excellent event in 2017 in Wroclaw is however crucial for creating that opportunity.

Looking forward to these Games in Poland, let me also take this opportunity to send all of you, whether player, official, or fan, the best wishes for another exciting year of korfball. Don’t miss attending the World Games and see you in Wroclaw!

Dr Jan Fransoo

IKF President