In 2017, Ivan Karsters from Koog aan de Zaan took the initiative to revive Surinamese korfball. “Then we got together and went to see if Surinamese talent is playing in the Netherlands,” says Karsters. De Zaankanter is at home in all markets: from recruiting sponsors, the website and cooking for his team. Nothing is too crazy for him.
Surinamese talent is there, as the team has already won the South American championships twice and finished sixth at the 2019 World Cup in South Africa. “We are the first Surinamese team to have reached a final tournament. So we are writing history for Suriname”, says Randell van der Steen proudly. The player from Suriname plays in a club for the Amsterdam Blauw-Wit.
World Cup in Taipei
In October, Suriname will participate in the World Cup in Taipei. “You can expect a good game and smiling faces. We’re having a party and hoping for a medal”, Karsters looks ahead.
NH Sport spent an evening at one of Suriname’s training sessions. Before the players went to work in the Groen Geel hall in Wormer, part of the selection came together with the national coach. A delicious meal was first prepared and eaten there.