A delegation of Indian transplant athletes, including eight from Rajasthan who are set to compete at the International Transplant Games in Bangkok from April 28, has urged the state government to include transplant sportspersons in state sports schemes and policies.
Demand for Official Recognition
The athletes said official recognition would help secure funding, training support and access to sports infrastructure. They added that such backing would also promote transplant sports and raise awareness about cadaver organ donation, which remains low in many states. The delegation has sought sports facilities, financial assistance and institutional support, saying they currently bear the cost of participating in competitions on their own.
“If the state govt supports us, the transplant athletes will get motivated and they will participate more in the games to remain healthy. It is a myth that post-transplant, the recipients could not play any sport, but we have shown by winning medals in international games events held earlier,” said Mujahid Naqvi, a transplant athlete.
Need for Equal Support
The athletes also demanded support on par with other recognised sports categories, including coaching, infrastructure, training assistance, travel, kits, nutrition and related expenses. Harsh Vardhan Singh, a transplant athlete from Jaipur representing India, said, “This year, a team of 15 athletes from India is going to take part in Bangkok, out of those, eight are from Rajasthan.”
The appeal comes after Rajasthan’s strong performance at the World Transplant Games 2025 in Germany, where nine athletes from the state represented India and won 11 medals for Team India. Rajasthan had the second-largest contingent among all states.
Call for Separate Category and Annual Games
Bhawani Singh, described as Rajasthan’s longest-surviving kidney transplant athlete, said the delegation has asked the state to create a separate sports category for organ transplant recipients and organise annual Rajasthan State Transplant Games under the sports and health departments. “This will not only provide a structured platform for transplant recipients but will also motivate many others to lead healthy and active lives post-transplant,” he said.
