ARMENIAN SAND, LAKE SEVAN & KORF COME TOGETHER

International Korfball Federation, Belgium
Aug. 22, 2006

Armenian korfballers met recently to trial-out a national beach
korfball tournament.

The first Armenian korfball tournament to take place on sand was held
on August 15, on the shores of the picturesque lake Sevan.

Despite a large number of the korfball community engaged in summer
holiday pursuits, the interest in the tournament was outstanding. In
total 8 teams lined up for this inaugural event consisting of 2
veteran line-ups, 2 senior selections and 4 youth teams. For most of
the players this was their first taste of the sand and korf cocktail
and for the newly inducted it was hard for them to come to grips
with playing on this energy-sapping surface. The only players with
experience in playing on sand were the veteran players, who were able
to use their prior experience to good effect.

Participating teams were split into two pools, one senior grade pool
and a second youth grade pool. Though the two senior teams (players of
the national team) were favourites to duke it out for title honours
the veterans showed that they are still able to foot it with their
senior counterparts.

After the official tournament an unplanned game between senior and
veteran selections took place. This encounter proved to be the most
interesting game of the day, a struggle of two generations. It also
provided an excellent learning opportunity for the younger players.

Beside the beach korfball matches there were water-korfball games
and the participants thoroughly enjoyed themselves engaging in a
combination of gameplay and social activities set for the day.

The KFA hopes to organise an international beach korfball tournament
in the same place next year.