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World Transplant Games 2013
World Transplant Games 2013
An estimated 1500 athletes from 50 countries will converge on the city for the biennial event.
Athletes competing need to be transplantees namely a recipient of a donor kidney, heart, liver or other vital organs. Sports include a full range of athletics, Tennis, Swimming, Ten Pin Bowling, Petanque, Table Tennis, Lawn Bowls, Squash, and Cycling.
The Games area celebration of being given a second chance in life as well as to create awareness of the need for people to register as donors to help those in need of an organ transplant.
The Official Launch took place on 23 July at Durban's City Hall presided over by eThekwini Mayor James Nxumalo who said hosting the event was "an honour".
In preparation for the International Games event next year, the National Transplant Games will be held in Durban between 16 and 19 August 2012 after which local teams will be chosen to represent South Africa.
Umdloti has its very own competitor in the competition, Elsa Siedle, who is a kidney transplantee. Elsa, who has been playing Petanque for over 10 years, received her kidney from her sister in September 2008. She will be competing in the Petanque event, which is a growing sport in S.A. There will be over 240 Petanque players visiting Durban next year from all over the world.
For more information go to https://www.transplantsports.org.za.