Beach Korfball another format of korfball; K4

Road to Chengdu begins! IKF World Beach Korfball Championship 2024: Groups Draw completed!

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The group stage is set for the IKF World Beach Korfball Championship 2024 following the Group Draw that took place this evening (Monday, April 15, 2024) broadcasted on YouTube.com/ikfchannel.

Eighteen teams were drawn into three groups, with some interesting matchups emerging based on the latest beach world rankings. 

The Korfball Association of Thailand will host the World Korfball Beach Championships from 26 to 28 April 2024 in Pattaya City, which is also a qualifier event for The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China.

Group A features the current world number one ranked team, Poland, who will face off against Portugal (ranked 6th), India (7th), Australia (10th), Scotland (19th) and Czechia (23rd). 

Group B is headlined by second-ranked Belgium, who will take on Hungary (ranked 5th), Hong Kong China (8th), Japan (18th), Singapore (20th) and China (23rd).  

Finally, Group C includes USA (ranked 3rd), the Netherlands (4th), Chinese Taipei (9th), Thailand (12th), Malaysia (21st) and Macau China (ranked 23rd). 

Pattaya was a very successful host of a Beach World Cup in 2022, and this allows the local federation to build on this success as a benchmark for international beach korfball competitions.

Exciting times ahead for Beach Korfball 

Further, following the inclusion of korfball in the program of the next edition of The World Games in Chengdu (CHN), the IKF announced that the international beach korfball calendar will be expanded substantially. In 2024, in addition to the World Beach Korfball Championships, two World Cups will be scheduled, one in Europe, likely in August, and a second one in Asia, likely in December. This aligns with the vision of the IKF Council to create a year-round global calendar for beach korfball events.

 

Further, the IKF announced the qualification regulations for the beach korfball tournament at TWG 2025. The champion of the WBKC will directly qualify for TWG, and TWG host China will have the opportunity to directly qualify at the WBKC, provided they finish in the top-10 of the event. The further 6 or 7 spots (a total of 8 countries/teams can take part in TWG Beach Korfball tournament) will be determined on the newly launched IKF World Beach Korfball Ranking, ensuring both global representation across at least four continents and sufficient competitiveness by ensuring all participants are within the top-12 of the World Ranking as per 31 December 2023.

IKF Beach Korfball World Ranking

IKF Beach Korfball Ranking Criterita, click here.

TWG 2025 Qualification Criteria Beach Korfball, click here.

Where to follow

All fans around the world will be able to watch and follow this tournament live on youtube.com/ikfchannel and on www.worldkorfball.sport (with live results and live streams, statistics, scorers, play-by-play …), as well as on social media on @IKFAsia and @BeachKorfball profiles and the hashtag #WBKC, #beachkorfball and #korfball, with the best image galleries, clips and highlights.

IKF Beach Korfbal profiles:

► instagram.com/beachkorfball
► facebook.com/beachkorfball
► twitter.com/beachkorfball
► tiktok.com/@beachkorfball

IKF Asia profiles:

► facebook.com/IKFasia
► instagram.com/IKFasia
► twitter.com/AsiaIKF

You can find all this content and much more visiting the following official IKF profiles (see below):

► instagram.com/korfball_org
► facebook.com/korfball.org
► twitter.com/korfball
► tiktok.com/@korfball.sport

About the IKF World Beach Korfball Championships

The IKF World Beach Korfball Championships is the pinnacle event for the sport of beach korfball. The event is held every two years and features the best national beach korfball teams from around the world. The 2024 edition of the championships will be held in Pattaya, Thailand, from April 26-28. 

About the International Korfball Federation (IKF)

The IKF is the governing body for the sport of korfball. The IKF is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the sport, including international competitions, development, and governance. The IKF was founded in Antwerp (Belgium) on 11 June 1933 as a continuation of the International Korfball Bureau established in 1924 by the Dutch and Belgian Associations. The IKF was officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1993 and is affiliated to the Association of the IOC Recognized International Sports Federations (ARISF), the International World Games Association (IWGA) and the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF). 

IKF awards 2024 World Beach Korfball Championship to Pattaya (THA), expands beach competition calendar

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Taipei, 25 October – The International Korfball Federation today announced that the hosting of the 2nd IKF World Beach Korfball Championship has been awarded to Pattaya (Thailand) and will take place from 26-28 April, 2024. Pattaya was a very successful host of one of the World Cups in 2022, and this allows the Korfball Association of Thailand to build on this success as a benchmark for international beach korfball competitions.

Further, following the inclusion of korfball in the program of the next edition of The World Games in Chengdu (CHN), the IKF announced that the international beach korfball calendar will be expanded substantially. In 2024, in addition to the WBKC, two World Cups will be scheduled, one in Europe, likely in August, and a second one in Asia, likely in December. This aligns with the vision of the IKF Council to create a year-round global calendar for beach korfball events.

Further, the IKF announced the qualification regulations for the beach korfball tournament at TWG 2025. The champion of the WBKC will directly qualify for TWG, and TWG host China will have the opportunity to directly qualify at the WBKC, provided they finish in the top-10 of the event. The further 6 or 7 spots (a total of 8 countries/teams can take part in TWG Beach Korfball tournament) will be determined on the newly launched IKF World Beach Korfball Ranking, ensuring both global representation across at least four continents and sufficient competitiveness by ensuring all participants are within the top-12 of the World Ranking as per 31 December 2023.

IKF Beach Korfball Ranking Criterita, click here.

TWG 2025 Qualification Criteria Beach Korfball, click here.

 

Belgium wins the senior and the U19 IKF Beach Korfball World Cup (Europe) 2023

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The 3rd edition of a spectacular the IKF Beach Korfball World Cup (Europe) 2023 has finished in the Polish city of Wroclaw. From 25 to 26 August, 13 teams from 3 different continents competed to be the new champion in this new and fascinating korfball discipline, recently included in the official program of the next World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China.

The 2 fields located at Wrocław Academy of Physical Education in Wrocław became the perfect scenario for great and exciting matches, where all teams had the chance to compete for the win. The sand and the intensity of this discipline guaranteed a lot of tight matches, and lots of them were decided during exciting golden goal extra periods.

Australia, Belgium, Catalonia, England, France, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Scotland, Sweden, Türkiye, United States Of America and Wales were the participants in the senior category, and the Belgians were the ones who reached the top position after winning the senior final against the Netherlands by 6-8. They reached the final after winning their semi-final vs Poland by 7-10 in a great match. Congratulations!

Photos by: Marco Spelten

The Dutch team got the silver medal by fighting until the last second of every match, like they did in the final vs BEL and also during the thought semi-final vs USA which they won by one single goal (4-3).

Photos by: Marco Spelten

For the Bronze medal, Poland, the current world champions, played against an intense and competitive strong squad from the United States. The Americans were leading the game with 3 goals in advantage, but in the last 3 minutes, an impressive comeback from the Polish team decided the game in favour of the locals with a close 11-12.

Photos by: Marco Spelten

The U19 competition played between Belgium, Catalonia, Netherlands and Poland finished with another duel NED-BEL, also ending in favour of the Belgian players by 5-6. Catalonia finished 3rd and Poland 4th.

FINAL RANKING: SENIOR COMPETITION

1st – Belgium
2nd – The Netherlands
3rd – Poland
4th – United States Of America
5th – Hungary
6th – France
7th – Catalonia
8th – Wales
9th – Türkiye
10th – Australia
11th – Scotland
12th – England
13th – Sweden

FINAL RANKING: U19 COMPETITION

1st – Belgium
2nd – The Netherlands
3rd – Catalonia
4th – Poland

FINAL RESULTS AFTER DAY 2

The IKF and the PKA were honored to have the Polish Olympic Committee as a patron of this important international event, successfully organised, once again, by the Polish Korfball Association and lots of great volunteers and officials. Thank you very much to all of them for their support and good job and spirit!

LIVE STREAM PLAYLIST:
*Click on the top-right icon ≣ to view all games scheduled

All games were available to watch live for free on YouTube.com/ikfchannel: Link to playlist

Day 1 | Field 1: youtu.be/r5_P-Y6Chcs | Field 2: youtu.be/xwYmAEXhXL4

Day 2 | Field 1: youtu.be/Nfosn8WqGxs | Field 2: youtu.be/Mj8FgzMknSE

All results, scorers and rankings are available on https://www.worldkorfball.sport/competitions/ikf-beach-korfball-world-cup-2023-europe-152

FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA

All fans around the world were also follow this tournament, with the best image galleries, videos and photos on www.beachkorfball.sport, as well as on social media visiting the different @BeachKorfball profiles and via the hashtags #BKWC2023 and #beachkorfball:

► facebook.com/beachkorfball
► twitter.com/beachkorfball
► instagram.com/beachkorfball
► tiktok.com/@beachkorfball

IMAGE GALLERY | Day 2

By Marco Spelten – www.actiefotografie.nl

IMAGE GALLERY | Day 1

By Marco Spelten – www.actiefotografie.nl

PREVIOUS NEWS

Follow the IKF Beach Korfball World Cup (Europe) 2023!

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[Updated after Day 1] The Polish Korfball Association is ready to host the 3rd edition of the IKF Beach Korfball World Cup (Europe) 2023. From 25 to 26 August, 14 13 teams from 3 different continents will be competing for a place in the final podium at Wrocław Academy of Physical Education in Wrocław.

UPDATE 27/8/2023 – https://korfball.sport/belgium-wins-the-senior-and-the-u19-ikf-beach-korfball-world-cup-europe-2023/

Australia, Belgium, Catalonia, England, France, Hungary, Morocco, Netherlands, Poland, Scotland, Sweden, Türkiye, United States Of America and Wales are the participants in the senior category.

UPDATED RESULTS & RANKING AFTER DAY 1

24/8/2023 – 18:00 pm ⚠️ URGENT ⚠️ Updated match schedule: The IKF and LOC have faced a last-minute withdrawal of Morocco, due to VISA problems. Despite various efforts, the required documents to travel to Poland were not obtained. Therefore, the IKF BKWC (Europe) 2023 will take place with 13 senior teams.

The U19 event will be played by Belgium, Catalonia, Netherlands and Poland.

The IKF and the PKA are honored to have the Polish Olympic Committee as a patron of this important international event.

All games will be available to watch live for free on YouTube.com/ikfchannel: Link to playlist

Day 1 | Field 1: youtu.be/r5_P-Y6Chcs | Field 2: youtu.be/xwYmAEXhXL4

Day 2 | Field 1: youtu.be/Nfosn8WqGxs | Field 2: youtu.be/Mj8FgzMknSE

All results, scorers and rankings are available on https://www.worldkorfball.sport/competitions/ikf-beach-korfball-world-cup-2023-europe-152

LIVE STREAM PLAYLIST:
*Click on the top-right icon ≣ to view all games scheduled

FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA

All fans around the world can also follow this tournament, with all the results, rankings, image galleries and photos on www.beachkorfball.sport, as well as on social media visiting the different @BeachKorfball profiles and via the hashtags #BKWC2023 and #beachkorfball:

► facebook.com/beachkorfball
► twitter.com/beachkorfball
► instagram.com/beachkorfball
► tiktok.com/@beachkorfball

IMAGE GALLERY

By Marco Spelten – www.actiefotografie.nl

IMAGE GALLERY – DAY 1

By Marco Spelten – www.actiefotografie.nl

PREVIOUS NEWS

24/7/2023  – The match schedules for the IKF Beach Korfball World Cup (Europe) 2023 senior & U19 categories have been published.

6/7/2023 – 20:30 (CEST) – The groups are known:

6/7/2023 – 20:00 (CEST) – Live draw:

 

Official logo:

Chinese Taipei wins the IKF Beach Korfball World Cup (Asia) 2023

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The Thailand Korfball Association hosted from 5 to 7 May 2023 the second edition of the IKF Beach Korfball World Cup (Asia) 2023. Pattaya Beach became the beautiful scenario where 9 teams from 3 different continents competed during three intense days for a medal in this always exciting championship in Asia.

The ranking at the end of the regular competition was leaded by Chinese Taipei, followed by Thailand in 2nd position, and theUnited States of America in 3rd place. The 4 last matches to decide the final positions didn’t change the current ranking, and the win of TPE over THA by 8:4 in the big final of the tournament proclaimed them as winners and champions of this IKF Beach Korfball World Cup (Asia) 2023.

 

Gold medal: Chinese Taipei

Silver medal: Thailand

Bronze medal: USA

Australia, Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, United States of America and Thailand were the participants. All games were live streamed by Thailand Korfball on www.youtube.com/@IKFasia, and all image galleries from each game are already available on www.facebook.com/Beachkorfball.

LIVE STREAMS:
📺 Day 1: https://youtu.be/aufp_sm-TCY
📺 Day 2: https://youtu.be/o-JwS8_oq6k
📺 Day 3: https://youtu.be/Aq5wIIQxidA

Congratulations to all participants, officials and volunteers for these amazing days of competition and the great atmosphere and friendship bweteen all the teams.

Again, a big thank you to Thailand Korfball for an excellent organisation of this IKF BKWC (Asia) 2023, that together with the organisation of last November’s IKF AOKC 2022, has demostrated a remarkable and outstanding professionalism and commitment with all the organizational tasks required.

FINAL RESULTS AND OFFICIAL FINAL RANKING:

UPDATED RESULTS AND RANKING AFTER DAY 3:

UPDATED RESULTS AND RANKING AFTER DAY 2:

UPDATED RESULTS AND RANKING AFTER DAY 1:

All fans around the world were able to follow this tournament, with all the results, rankings, image galleries and photos on www.beachkorfball.sport, as well as on social media visiting the different @BeachKorfball profiles and via the hashtags #BKWC2023 and #beachkorfball:

► facebook.com/beachkorfball
► twitter.com/beachkorfball
► instagram.com/beachkorfball
► tiktok.com/@beachkorfball

LOC’s Event FB Page, with more photos and videos: https://bit.ly/BKWC_Asia2023

DAY 1 IMAGE GALLERY (Games 1 to 6):

You can find all image galleries from each game visiting the following link: www.facebook.com/Beachkorfball

Photos by Krit Suttipithuk (www.facebook.com/tour.ly.5)

25/4/2023 – Promotional video

25/4/2023 – Press conference

 

Beach Korfball included in 2025 edition of The World Games

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The International World Games Association yesterday accepted the proposal of the IKF to include beach korfball as a second korfball discipline in the program of The World Games in 2025 in Chengdu, China. This inclusion implies that apart from (indoor) korfball in an 8v8 format, that has been included in every single edition of The World Games since 1985, also beach korfball will be included in a 4v4 format. The inclusion of beach korfball is a direct consequence of the overall success of our full gender-balanced team sport in the recent editions of The World Games in Birmingham, Wroclaw and Cali, and the successful inaugural edition of the first World Beach Korfball Championship in 2022 in Morocco. In both korfball disciplines, 8 teams will participate.

The IKF is delighted with this decision by the IWGA. IKF President Fransoo: “Beach Korfball has been developing rapidly over the past years. Smaller teams and the ability to play this anywhere, make the discipline accessible to everyone. Moreover, the gender-balanced nature of korfball fit very well with the beach culture. Beach korfball is as fast and dynamic as indoor korfball, but with matches of just 2*8 minutes, and typically many goals being made, a single 90-minute spectator session can easily accommodate 4 matches with all being decisive. Together with the IWGA and the Chengdu organizing committee, we plan to create a festive atmosphere in the beach stadium at TWG 2025. The inclusion of beach korfball will provide an opportunity for many more of the IKF Member countries to qualify for The World Games.”

Korfball features again in the program of  The World Games 2025 in Chengdu

During yesterday’s IWGA Annual General Meeting in Madrid, the Executive Committee (ExCo) of the International World Games Association unveiled the programme for the 12th edition of the Games. Korfball will continue its appearance since 1985 (the 2nd edition of TWG in London). Since then, korfball has been included has taken part in every edition.

Jan Fransoo reelected for a second term in the ExCo of the IWGA

The president of the International Korfball Federation, Jan Fransoo, was confirmed as Executive Committee member of the International World Games Association for a 2nd term during this IWGA AGM 2023 in Madrid. With 7 candidates for four positions, he received extensive support from the membership, with 23 out of the 31 voting Federations supporting him already in the first round of voting.

José Perurena (ICF) was re-elected as the President,  Tom Dielen (WA) as the new Vice President and Lukas Hinder contniues as the Treasurer. Executive Committee members for the new term: Anna Arzhanova (CMAS), Volker Bernardi (WFDF), Jan Fransoo (IKF), and John Liljelund (IFF).

Header image by Marco Spelten

Let’s enjoy the IKF Beach Korfball World Cup (Asia) 2023

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[Updated] The Thailand Korfball Association is ready to host the second edition of the IKF Beach Korfball World Cup (Asia) 2023. From 5 to 7 May, Pattaya Beach will be the beautiful scenario where 9 teams from 3 different continents will be competing for a place in the final podium.

Australia, Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, United States of America and Thailand are the participants. Which team will raise the champion’s trophy?  Discover it following and watching live all the competition through Thailand Korfball live streams on: www.youtube.com/@IKFasia

After an excellent organisation of the IKF AOKC 2022 in November last year, the IKF is looking forward to another outstanding event in collaboration with Thailand Korfball Association.

FINAL RESULTS AND OFFICIAL FINAL RANKING:

UPDATED RESULTS AND RANKING AFTER DAY 3:

UPDATED RESULTS AND RANKING AFTER DAY 2:

UPDATED RESULTS AND RANKING AFTER DAY 1:

All fans around the world can also follow this tournament, with all the results, rankings, image galleries and photos on www.beachkorfball.sport, as well as on social media visiting the different @BeachKorfball profiles and via the hashtags #BKWC2023 and #beachkorfball:

► facebook.com/beachkorfball
► twitter.com/beachkorfball
► instagram.com/beachkorfball
► tiktok.com/@beachkorfball

LOC’s Event FB Page, with more photos and videos: https://bit.ly/BKWC_Asia2023

DAY 1 IMAGE GALLERY (Games 1 to 6):

You can find all image galleries from each game visiting the following link: www.facebook.com/Beachkorfball

Photos by Krit Suttipithuk (www.facebook.com/tour.ly.5)

25/4/2023 – Promotional video

25/4/2023 – Press conference

 

Medal winning Team USA recognised at The World Games 2022

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Today (Saturday, Jul 16, 2022) we welcomed into the korfball arena at The World Games in Birmingham former international players from the United States Korfball Federation (USKF) who won Bronze at The World Games 1985 in London, Great Britain. 

The USKF 1985 medal winning squad were today each presented with a Recognition of Achievement certificate from the International Korfball Federation.

The USKF was founded in 1975 by Paul Kempff. Current President of USKF, Carl Yerger said: “Our priority now is to support passionate people to play korfball…. Our strategic goal is to support pockets of korfball by fostering it and encouraging its growth”

twg1985_Team_USA_Bronze_korfball

U.S. Korfball Team – The World Games 1985 (left to right: Margie Warren, David Warren, Kim Davenport, Rob Kinitt, Joy Gunter, Rob Bell, Mark Scruggs, Sandra Slagther, Chris Frederick, Lori Mezanko-Alexander, Joel Batchelder, Kara Swab, Eric Holmstrom, Kay Kersey).

Team USA qualified for the next two World Games in 1989 and 1993, finishing in 5th place in both.

twg1985_USA_korfball (2) twg1985_USA_korfball (1)

Korfball in the USA

Pacific Northwest (PNW) Beach Korfball is the 1st beach korfball club in the USA, founded by a group of basketball players lead by Bill Johnson, based at Golden Gardens Park in Seattle, Washington

PNW Beach Korfball will be representing the U.S. in the first ‘IKF World Beach Korfball Championship’ in Nador, Morocco on 19 & 20 August 2022 in their first official game. 

They held their first annual PNW Beach Korfball cup in 2021 with former Great Britain international player and coach Steve Barker, and over 50 adult basketball players participated, including players from New York, Oregon, California, Serbia, and the Tibetan Plateau.

Bill Jonson from PNW Beach Korfball said “We are taking things slowly at a pace that’s manageable for us. We would like to let it grow organically & naturally, and make things sustainable. We are now making connections with korfballers all over the world. Eventually, we will make Seattle a nice place to play beach korfball”. 

“While the Olympics is moving towards mixed-gender sports, the coed aspect of beach korfball is the new dynamic that’s going to make social changes with sports like this, I feel cool to be part of korfball”. Ashley Graham.

Find out more about Korfball in the USA by visiting the United States Korfball Federation website.

Photos: Marco Spelten / actiefotografie.nl

Morocco to host first World Beach Korfball Championship 2021

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Tournament update (07/04/2021) – The IKF World Beach Korfball Championship 2021, scheduled from 30 – 31 July has been postponed. The current corona situation is too unclear to continue with the preparations for the event in July. The IKF EXCO has set the new dates of this event on 10 – 11 September 2021. The location will remain Nador, Morocco. The IKF EXCO is grateful for the flexibility of the host, the Association Marocaine de Korfball, and hopes to welcome all teams on the beautiful beaches of Nador in September. A final decision on the event will be taken in the first week of June.

The IKF is extremely happy to announce that the first ‘IKF World Beach Korfball Championship’ will be held this summer in Nador, Morocco. The event will take place on 30th and 31st July 2021, pending a controlled Corona-19 situation. Subscription is open to all countries around the world.

The successful continental Beach World Cup events in Europe and Asia over the last few years have demonstrated that there is a real appetite amongst the nations for Beach Korfball. The IKF is now delighted to extend the format to the global stage by organising a World Championship for the first time. In a close bidding race with the Royal Dutch Korfball Association (KNKV), who as always presented a very tempting bid, the IKF Council decided to grant this prestigious event to the Moroccan Association for Korfball (MAK).

Jan Fransoo (IKF President): “As well as the beautiful Summer weather, the excellent facilities, and professional organisation, the positive impact that our mixed-gender sport has in Moroccan society has been particularly key in our decision to award the organisation of the first World Beach Korfball Championship to the city of Nador in Morocco. We are looking forward to working closely with the organisers in making this a great event with a positive impact.”

The award of this event comes months after an agreement that the Moroccan Association for Korfball and the Mediterranean Youth Association have made with the Ministry of National Education to develop korfball in schools. Younes Cherfaoui (MAK president): “We are very proud to be able to organise the IKF World Beach Korfball Championship and to present the beautiful city of Nador to the korfball world. The event comes at the perfect moment to showcase korfball and really use it as an accelerator for the further development of korfball within Morocco.”

 

IKF World Beach Korfball Weekend 2020

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It is time to announce a new korfball community building event: the IKF World Beach Korfball Weekend 2020!

The current corona situation maybe prevents us from organising events where we can meet in person, but it doesn’t prevent us from staying connected as korfball community. To strengthen the connection between all IKF member countries, korfball clubs and individuals, the IKF has decided to launch the IKF World Beach Korfball Weekend 2020.

This ‘event’ is held in the weekend of 29 and 30 August and will be created by everyone together. Combining all type of beach korfball activities in the same weekend. We challenge all korfball lovers over the world to organise a beach korfball activity in this weekend. A tournament, a match, or whatever kind of activity you like to do and show. Just connect your activity with the IKF World Beach Korfball Weekend 2020 and be part of the event!

Let’s be very clear; Safety goes first! So please make sure that you are well informed and always respect the guidelines of the (local) government to avoid spreading the corona virus. Don’t organise activities that can harm the health of yourself or others.

Having said that, the corona situation and imposed limitations are very diverse all over the world and in many countries sport activities, specially outdoors, are allowed and even stimulated. Physical activity or exercise strengthens your immune system and lower the risk of getting sick. And maybe more importantly, doing sports is fun and helps both your body and mind to stay healthy!

Make sure to follow the IKF Social Media Channels to know how you can connect your beach korfball activity. And of course, in the case there is no beach available where you are located, but you still want to be part of the event, you are more than welcome to connect any another kind of korfball activity!

 

Share and follow all the activities using the hashtags #WorldBeachKorfballWeekend and #WBKW2020

Official IKF Beach Korfball profiles: www.beachkorfball.sport, instagram.com/beachkorfball and facebook.com/Beachkor

 

logo_WBKW2020