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All-African Korfball Championships to be held in Ivory Coast and Zambia

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IKF Africa today held its general meeting. In an online setting, 8 out of the 10 national korfball organisations in Africa were present, and elected Mr Tarirai Chadebah (ZIM) as their new President. Mr Younes Cherfaoui (MAR) was elected as Vice-President for the North Region, while Mr Kaluba Kangwa (ZAM) was elected as Vice-President for the South Region. Mr Nana Simplice (CMR) was elected as Secretary General. Mrs Dr Florence Gitau and Mrs Ottilia Kurebwaseka (ZIM) complete the IKF Africa Executive Committee.

IKF Africa General Meeting (online) 2022-05-21

IKF Africa General Meeting (online) 2022-05-21

In the meeting, it was also announced that the All-African Championships will be held across two different locations, allowing for the highest possible participation in the two main korfball clusters. Abidjan (CIV) will host the All-African Championship for the North Region, with all countries in ANOCA Zones 1-4 invited to take part. The event’s tentative dates are 22-25 September 2022. Lusaka (Zambia) will host the All-African Championship for the South Region, with all countries in ANOCA Zones 5-7 invited to take part. This event tentative dates are 10-13 November 2022. The hosting decisions are subject to the hosting contracts between the IKF and the national korfball organisations of Ivory Coast and Zambia being confirmed and signed in due course.

Over the past quadrennial, the IKF and IKF Africa’s focus has been on further strengthening the existing national organisation on the continent. Development is hence an important part of the strategy of IKF Africa, supported by the IKF Development Committee. In the meeting, IKF Development and Education Committee Chair Jorge Alves (POR) announced that preceding both championships, education activities for coaching and refereeing will be organised so that the presence of countries can be leveraged.

The meeting also confirmed the composition of the highly important IKF Africa Development and Education Committee. The IKF Africa DEC’s Vice-Chair will be Mr Anthony Amekudzi (GHA), and he will be joined on the committee by three very successful korfball developers on the continent, namely Mr Eric Abale (CIV), Mrs Sophie Kathewera (MAW), and Ms Ilham Teidj (MAR).

IKF President Jan Fransoo attended the meeting and guided the proceedings. He wished all newly elected officials good luck and lots of success in the execution of their important responsibilities.

Olympic Youth Development Centre includes korfball in program

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The Olympic Youth Development Centre in Zambia will include korfball into its official program. This was announced by Mr Clement Chileshe, Director of the Centre, at the closing ceremony of the 3rd IKF All-African Korfball Championship held in Lusaka last week.

The multi-sport complex in Lusaka, Zambia, was estsblished in 2010 as part of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s Sport for Hope Programme. The Centre welcomes on average 10,000 children and young adults per month, with currently 16 sports on the program. The facility is unique in the region. It includes football, netball, and hockey pitches outdoors, an indoor multi-sport hall, and an Olympic-size swimming pool. The Centre runs both sport-for-all programs, which reaches out into the less developed areas of Lusaka, and elite training programs for international and Olympic-level athletes.

From now on, the Centre will be the training venue for the Zambian national korfball team, and will conduct an outreach program in the area. The Centre also welcomes teams from other countries in the Southern African region. Apart from netball, which is the second largest sport in the country, korfball will be the only sport on the program that does not yet feature on the Olympic program.

The IKF and IKF Africa are very happy to be associated with the Centre, as it provides a clear opportunity to develop korfball in Zambia and the greater region, and provides opportunities for regular training for the Zambian elite korfball players.

African Korfball Championship to be contested at Olympic Center in Zambia

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With only a few days to go, teams are finalizing the preparation for the IKF All-Africa Korfball Championship in Zambia. South Africa and Zambia will contest the first match of the event on August 6, which will conclude with the finals played on August 8. The full match schedule is available in our event listing.

For the first time ever, four teams will participate in the IKF All-African Korfball Championship. Clear favorite for the title is the reigning champion South-Africa, having won all previous events on the continent. Vice-champion Zimbabwe will however be a firm rival, having just finished an extended training camp lead by their technical director Riko Kruit. Host country Zambia and newcomer Malawi complete the pack. The four countries will contest the African title to secure a single spot in next year’s World Championship in Belgium.

This is the third edition of the event. The first edition was held in South Africa in 2006, while the 2010 edition was hosted in Zimbabwe. On both occasions, only two teams took part with South Africa crowned as champion on both occasions.

The venue for the event is the Olympic Youth Development Center in Lusaka, Zambia. The IKF is pleased for the event to take place in this venue that was funded by the International Olympic Committee.