Sport

Durban to host World Transplant Games

16 July 2010

There has been widespread praise for South Africa's hosting of the 2010 Fifa World Cup™. Now the country will have another opportunity to shine on the world stage, when it hosts the 2013 World Transplant Games.

In a tightly contested vote, South Africa's "Surf City" edged Tokyo by six votes to five for the right to host the Games from 28 July to 4 August 2013.

According to the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), between 2 000 and 5 000 participants are expected in Durban, with more than 50 countries being represented. Participants would have undergone life-saving heart, lung, liver, pancreas, kidney and bone-marrow transplants.

The Games could serve as a useful learning exercise if South Africa bids for the 2020 or 2024 Olympic Games, with Durban being put forward as a possible host city.

Held biannually, the 18th edition of the World Transplant Games will take in Gothenburg, Sweden in June 2011.

Willie Uys, president of the SA Transplant Sports Association, told Sascoc that the association had many people to thank for helping Durban crack the nod.

'Great support'

"From the outset we received great support from Sascoc and the Department of Sport and Recreation, as well as receiving help with various aspects from the Durban Municipality/eThekwini Metro, Durban International Convention Centre and Tourism," Uys said.

"Hosting the World Transplant Games in 2013 brings with it a huge responsibility, but also a wonderful opportunity for South Africans to see how people who have had life-saving transplant operations compete in a wide variety of sports disciplines.

"We are hoping that we will be able to show that there is indeed life after a transplant," Uys said. "We invite people and companies to partner with us in making this a sporting and life-changing experience for all participants, supporters and spectators."

SAinfo reporter