Korfball
Korfball makes one of the most positive statements about gender equality in sports. The game bears strong resemblance to basketball – from which it evolved – but it 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 on the field of play. With teamwork being paramount in korfball, individual class is much desired, individual play such as dribbling, however, is ruled out. A game lasts two times 30 minutes. Scoring is possible with shots taken while closing in on the “korf “(Dutch for basket) at high speed, shots from far away – with unbelievable accuracy – and penalty shots after severe fouls.
Korfball features in The World Games 2013; check the event calendar for details about when it is scheduled.
DID YOU KNOW THAT...?
Controlled contact and cooperative play ...
Korfball is the world's only dedicated mixed team sport. Developed in 1902 by Nico Broekhuysen, 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. 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.
Object of the game ...
The objective is to throw a ball through a korf. The ball is very similar to the one used in soccer but with more grip and bounce. 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.
BEL vs. NED vs. BEL vs NED ...
The Netherlands duly took the korfball gold at The World Games 2009 Kaohsiung. For the seventh consecutive time already, the Dutch defeated their eternal 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 2013 Cali. But behind the perennial contenders the race is wide open: the Czech Republic, Chinese Taipei, Great Britain, China, Portugal or Russia, they should all have a shot at getting the bronze.
