India’s first Korfball Premier League (KPL) has been launched under the philosophy ‘Naya Khel, Nayi Soch’, marking a new chapter for a sport that has been part of the country’s sporting landscape for more than four decades.
According to the organisers, the tagline reflects not that Korfball is new to India, but that the way Indian audiences will experience the sport is set to change through a professionally managed franchise league.
Although Korfball has built a steady legacy in India, including bronze medal finishes at the Asia-Oceania Korfball Championship (AOKC) in 2002 and 2006, and regular participation by Indian youth teams (U-14, U-16 and U-19) against countries such as China and Thailand, the sport has largely remained outside the mainstream sporting conversation.
Game Changers FZCO, together with Sporty Bharat, is now taking the sport into its next phase by introducing a professionally managed franchise league aimed at redefining how emerging sports are built, commercialised and experienced in India.
The league seeks to introduce Indian audiences to a new sporting experience while creating a sustainable ecosystem for athletes, brands, franchises and fans.
The inaugural edition of the Korfball Premier League will be held from September 19 to October 4, 2026, at the Tyagraj Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. The 16-day tournament will feature eight franchise teams, with each squad comprising 14 players, including seven men and seven women, reflecting the sport’s mixed-gender identity.
More than 112 players are expected to participate, including 62 Indian athletes and nearly 50 international players representing over 20 countries, making it one of the most globally diverse sporting leagues to debut in India.
The league will operate under a professionally structured franchise model, with player auctions scheduled for August. Every match will follow an eight-player (4+4) format across 40-minute high-intensity contests. Players will compete in the league’s signature white jerseys, symbolising equality, discipline and the inclusive values associated with Korfball.
Bien-être Consulting has been appointed to lead the league’s strategic branding and communications initiatives.
Commenting on the launch, Sheetal Kharka, Founder, Bien-être Consulting, said, “For me, Korfball represents something much bigger than the launch of another league. Industry estimates suggest India’s sports economy could grow from nearly $19 billion today to around $40 billion by 2030.”
“This growth cannot come from cricket alone. While cricket still contributes nearly 80% of India’s sports economy, the country still needs new sporting properties, new fan communities, and fresh stories that brands can genuinely associate with,” she added.
Amandeep Singh, Founder, Game Changers FZCO and Co-Founder, Korfball Premier League, said, “Korfball Premier League is more than the launch of a new sports league—it is about creating a sustainable commercial ecosystem for an incredible sport that deserves global attention. At Game Changers FZCO, our vision is to build properties that deliver value for athletes, brands, franchise owners and fans alike. We believe KPL can become a benchmark for how emerging sports are successfully commercialised.”
Gagandeep Singh, Co-Founder, Korfball Premier League, said, “The strength of Korfball lies in its inclusivity, international appeal and exciting style of play. Our objective is to build a league that creates opportunities for players, attracts meaningful investment from brands and delivers an unforgettable experience for fans. Season One is only the beginning of a long-term vision.”
The league was officially launched during a ceremony at Shangri-La Eros, New Delhi, attended by officials from the Korfball Federation of India, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia, former international players, sports administrators and members of the media. During the event, the league’s logo and the roadmap for Season One were formally unveiled.
India has been associated with the International Korfball Federation (IKF) since 1982 and achieved a major milestone in 1995 by hosting the IKF World Korfball Championship, the first edition of the tournament to be staged outside Europe.
With the sport now established across 26 states and a record of consistent podium finishes at international competitions, the Korfball Federation of India (KFI) aims to accelerate the game’s growth among athletes, fans and global audiences through the newly established professional league.
The launch of the Korfball Premier League also aligns with India’s broader efforts to develop into a multi-sport nation. The release noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently supported grassroots sports development through initiatives such as Khelo India, while former Union Sports Ministers Anurag Thakur and Kiren Rijiju have advocated greater investment in emerging sports and sporting infrastructure.
According to the organisers, Rijiju has also extended support to the growth of Korfball in India during interactions with the Korfball Federation of India. Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra has similarly highlighted the importance of diversifying India’s sporting ecosystem beyond traditional disciplines.
