International World Games Association : Korfball

Sports of The World Games

Korfball is the world's only dedicated mixed team sport. Developed in 1902 by an Amsterdam school teacher for the pupils of his coeducational school, it has developed into an international competitive sport, still expressing the values of controlled contact and cooperative play. Korfball is played by two teams, each consisting of four female and four male players.

The objective is to throw a ball through a korf. The korf is a synthetic basket fixed at the top of a 3.5 meter high post. The posts are fixed at 1/6 of either end of a 40 x 20 meter pitch, allowing also to shoot and approach the korf from the rear side.

Uncontrolled contact is not allowed, as is dribbling or running with the ball. The game requires all-round skilled athletes, as the players must alternate between attacking and defending positions after every two goals. A game lasts 2 x 30 minutes. Scoring goals is done from a wide variety of positions, including shots at high speed in close proximity to the basket, shots from as far away as fifteen meters with unbelievable accuracy, and penalty shots allowed after severe fouls.

Besides the international competitive discipline, which is played indoors, other disciplines include outdoor korfball and beach korfball. Korfball is played in over 50 countries and across all continents. Its governing body is the International Korfball Federation (IKF). Even though the sport celebrated its official centenary in 2003, world championships have only been organized since 1978. Korfball has appeared on every World Games program since 1985, and it was recognized by the IOC in 1993.

Korfball at The World Games 2005

Korfball event on the Official Sports Program of The World Games 2009 Kaohsiung:

8-Nation Tournament

Korfball makes one of the most positive statements about gender equality in all of sports. The game bears strong resemblance to basketball – from which it evolved – but is based on full collaboration between the two sexes. While four men and four women team up on each side, only players of the same sex oppose each other directly. With teamwork being paramount in korfball, individual class is much desired, individual play such as dribbling, however, is ruled out.

The Netherlands duly took the korfball gold at The World Games 2005. For the sixth consecutive time already, the Dutch defeated their opponents from Belgium in the final. And yes, there is a very good chance that both teams will match up again in the game for gold at The World Games 2009 Kaohsiung. But behind the perennial contenders the race is wide open: the Czech Republic, Chinese Taipei, Great Britain, maybe a dark horse like Portugal or Russia, they should all have a shot at getting the bronze.

Korfball at The World Games 2005