Mikasa will continue to be the official ball manufacturer of the International Korfball Federation after the parties extender their partnership ©Getty Images

The International Korfball Federation (IKF) has extended its partnership with Mikasa Corporation for the company to continue to provide the IKF’s official ball.

Styled as the Mikasa K5, the ball is exclusively used at all IKF events.

Positive feedback from athletes about the ball influenced the decision to extend this partnership, according to the IKF.

"We value the long-term relationship with a quality brand like Mikasa," said IKF President Jan Fransoo.

"The excellent characteristics of the K5 ball and the support of many years provided by Mikasa to the IKF events and development activities provide us with confidence of further growth in the years to come. 

"We would like to thank Mr Saeki [Yuji Saeki, President and chief executive of Mikasa] for the confidence placed in the IKF with the extension of our partnership."

Mikasa also produces equipment for sports such as water polo and volleyball ©Getty Images
Mikasa also produces equipment for sports such as water polo and volleyball ©Getty Images

Saeki added that Mikasa was "extremely honoured with the extension of our partnership with IKF and with the opportunity to contribute to their korfball events as well as the long-term growth of korfball in the world."

Mikasa has supplied the official IKF ball for more than a decade.

The Japanese company has similar agreements with the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and International Swimming Federation.

Mikasa will be the official ball provider for indoor and beach volleyball events at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics under the terms of its agreement with the FIVB.