Indian players who overcome difficult challenges will shine in World Transplant Games
Indian sportspersons who have undergone complex medical needs like organ transplants are all set to represent the country at the World Transplant Games to be held in Australia from April 15 to 26. In these Games, 30 organ transplant or organ donor players from the country will compete with such players from across the world. Merlin Paul, who was part of the Indian team, underwent a double kidney transplant at the age of 31, while Karhun Nanda suffered heart failure at the age of 42.
Whereas, Varun Anand was only nine years old when his kidney stopped working. Apart from these, the team also includes former medalists of World Transplant Games like Balveer Singh (Badminton player), Dharmendra Soti (Badminton player) Digvijay Singh Gujral (Squash). All these players want to fulfill the dream of winning a medal for the country which was not possible for them before the surgery.
Ready to take up the walking challenge, Merlin from Kerala told PTI, “I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) around 15 years ago.I have had a transplant of both my kidneys. The World Transplant Games will be an opportunity for me to meet inspirational transplant recipients from around the world who believe in creating such a community and spreading awareness about CKD. I started playing football at the age of 12 and since then I have dreamed of representing India.Unfortunately, I could not progress beyond the state level.
Nanda will represent India in golf. “However, after the transplant, I did not expect that I would be able to lead a normal life. But it has been five years and the best thing is that what I could not do before the transplant (represent the country in sports) is what I am doing now.” The World Transplant Games aims to promote organ donation. To help improve the health and fitness of the transplant recipient and organ donor. Heart, lung, liver, kidney, pancreas, stem cell and bone marrow transplant recipients or donors can participate in these games. The Indian team is able to participate in the Games because of the efforts of ‘Organ Receiving and Giving Awareness Network (Organ) India’, an initiative of Parashar Foundation.
