November 19, 2024 – Jan Fransoo, a distinguished member of the International World Games Association (IWGA) Executive Committee (ExCo) and a prominent leader in the international korfball community, has been honoured with a royal distinction. On behalf of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Fransoo was appointed as a Knight in the Order of Oranje-Nassau, recognising his extraordinary contributions to korfball and international sports.
The surprise ceremony took place on November 18, 2024, at the Papendal Sports Center following Fransoo’s presentation on The World Games during the General Members’ Meeting of the Dutch Olympic Sports Federation (NOC*NSF). This Royal Award nomination was supported by the International Korfball Federation (IKF), the Royal Dutch Korfball Federation (KNKV), and the IWGA. The year-long, rigorous evaluation process was conducted by the King’s cabinet, with the nomination and evaluation kept completely secret until the announcement.
Fransoo, who has served on the IWGA ExCo since 2018 and is currently in his second term through 2025, has spent 27 years deeply involved in korfball, from competition to leadership. His advocacy, innovation, and leadership have significantly advanced the sport's visibility and participation on a global scale, leaving an indelible legacy.
Receiving the Royal Award underscores not only his individual achievements but also the high regard the broader sports and korfball communities have for his enduring dedication and transformative vision.
The International World Games Association (IWGA) is a non-profit-making international sports organisation recognised and supported by the International Olympic Committee. The IWGA comprises 40 International Member Sports Federations. It administers and promotes The World Games (TWG), a multi-sport event held every four years that features around 35 sports on its programme. The next edition of TWG will be in Chengdu (CHN) from 7-17 August 2025. 5,000 participants from more than 100 countries are expected to take part in this 12th edition. The latest Games were hosted by Birmingham, Alabama (USA).
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