PGI Transplant Games back to celebrate gift of life

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Aimed at not only celebrating the resilience and spirit of transplant recipients and donors, the games also promote awareness about organ donation through sports and community engagement.

“This year, it’s not just about awareness. the PGIMER’s aim is to tap into the competitive spirit which games are meant for. In other words, the purpose is to ignite the spirit of people who have previously championed their transplant journey. It’s so much more than a second chance at life they experience each day ever since their successful transplant,” said Dr Ashish Sharma, Head of Department of Renal Transplant Surgery, PGIMER.

Sharma conceded that the goal was also to motivate donors and recipients to aim bigger and participate in World Transplant Games. “For those who cannot afford the expenses of preparation and participating in such games, Organ India will come forward to support the financially,” he added.

The transplant games have a rich history, with notable events having been held in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020. The 2018 Games saw over 500 transplant recipients and donor families participating in activities such as cricket, badminton, sprints, tug of war, carrom, rangoli and poster making.

The scale, however, is bigger this year. To be held at the Sector 7 Stadium, the Games will be played across two categories: under and over 40 years of age for badminton and petanque. Apart from these, it include field events such as javelin throw, shot put and long jump and track events like women’s 3000m race-walk, men’s 5000m race-walk as well as 100m and 200m sprints.

“There are participants who had undergone transplant around 25 years ago, kids and even people above 40 years of age. Some have won competitions too and are healthier than those who would be watching them from the stands. There’s no restriction to any organ recipients, patients with heart, liver, kidney, etc, all are welcome to participate,” Sharma said.

One such athlete is Digvijay Singh Gujral, who was diagnosed with a non-functioning right kidney at the age of one. He underwent a transplant in 2011 after months of dialysis. This life-changing experience fueled his passion for fitness and a healthy lifestyle and has inspired him to motivate others.

A decorated athlete, he has won 19 gold and five silver medals at India’s National Transplant Games, a silver in squash at the 2019 World Transplant Games in Newcastle, UK, and another bronze at the 2023 Games in Perth, Australia. Besides, he has secured several medals at the 2024 Australian National Transplant Games, where he was honoured with the prestigious Daryl & Jan Wall International Award for Best International Athlete.

Currently preparing for World Transplant Games to be held in Dresden, Germany, Digvijay said, “I live by the philosophy that everybody has the same 24 hours—what we do with them defines our greatness. Nothing is impossible if we believe in ourselves.”

This event is organised by the Organ Transplant Trust in collaboration with Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation the Indian Society of Transplant Surgeons, and ORGAN India.