2023 Turkish Korfball League Thrives in Kocaeli
League Competitions in Turkey’s Korfball Branch Kick Off
Yesterday, the league competitions of the Turkish Korfball Branch began with the participation of 8 teams from Istanbul, Ankara, Kocaeli, Adana, and Kütahya. The matches are being held at the Hasan Gemici Sports Hall in Izmit district.
Yüksel Abdikoğlu, the Chairman of the Korfball Technical Board of the Turkish Emerging Sports Branches Federation, announced the start of the league competitions. He mentioned that the matches will continue with the participation of teams from 5 different provinces. The final match is scheduled for Saturday, marking the end of the league.
Abdikoğlu stated, “The teams that secure first place will be awarded medals at the end of the event. Moreover, the top two teams will have the privilege of representing Turkey at the European cups and the events organized by the International Korfball Federation.”
Explaining the history of the sport in Turkey, Abdikoğlu highlighted its early days when it was primarily played among universities. Marmara University played a key role in pioneering the development of korfball in the country. However, over time, other universities also started participating. As a result, the establishment of the federation enabled the formation of university teams, alongside korfball clubs. Currently, there are approximately 50 university teams and 30 clubs competing under the federation.
Abdikoğlu also highlighted the growth of korfball at the secondary and high school levels since 2018. As a result, infrastructure teams have started to form, ensuring the sustainability and expansion of the sport.
The league competitions in the Turkish Korfball Branch not only provide an opportunity for teams to showcase their skills and compete for medals but also create a pathway for Turkish teams to participate in international korfball events.
