adminThe latest rankings have seen Zimbabwe jumping 56 places since their 2010 ranking of 82nd.
Although the team has never qualified for the World Cup, they have done well in all their competitive matches, only falling to South Africa on the African continent.
In an interview, Zimbabwe Korfball Federation (ZKF) president Tarirai Chadheba said he was pleased with the way the squad was playing and it was no surprise that they are now highly ranked.
“I should say I am very pleased. It is only in 2005 when korfball started in this country in Masvingo before spreading its wings countrywide.
“Within a short space of time we are now ranked above other countries that have been playing the sport for decades,” said Chadheba.
He said the ZKF was in the process of appealing to the International Korfball Federation to have at least two African teams to qualify for the World Cup finals.
“In the past it has been just one slot for an African team for the World Cup but what we are saying is that it is unfair since several countries are now playing competitive korfball in Africa.
“A plus to our appeal is the recent ranking of Zimbabwe which should send a signal that we can also play at the World Cup finals. We were unlucky not to go to the 2007 World Cup when we lost the final deciding match to South Africa. But had the rules permitted two countries from Africa, we would have qualified,” said Chadheba.
Throughout the country, korfball clubs in Masvingo and Mutare are the most outstanding and provide the bulk of national team players.
Invented in 1901 by an Amsterdam schoolmaster, Nico Broekhuysen, korfball is a game comparable to netball and basketball with one major exception. It is designed to be played by mixed teams of men and women.
It was first demonstrated in Holland in 1902, just a few years after James Naismith invented basketball in the USA.
A national association was formed in Holland in 1903 and soon the game spread to almost 40 other countries, including Armenia, Australia, Belgium, Britain, Germany, India, Indonesia, Portugal, Spain, Japan, Taiwan and US.
Korfball is played by two teams of eight (four men, four women) on a rectangular pitch 40m by 20m.
The pitch is divided into two halves so that each end is square. At either end, at one third of the length of the square measured from the back line, is a goalpost supporting a cylindrical basket (called a korf, which is the
Dutch word for basket) open at both ends with the rim 3,5m from the ground, 50cm higher than a netball post.
There is no backboard. The ball is similar to a soccer ball, although the weights allowed are towards the top end of the weights for a soccer ball.
The two zones, defence and attack, are occupied by two men and as many women from each team.
Online Reporter