India Is Building Momentum in Transplant Sport

India Is Building Momentum in Transplant Sport

India continues to strengthen its presence in transplant sport, with a series of recent training camps, competitions and athlete performances highlighting both growing participation and increasing ambition across the country.

National Pétanque Training Camp – Puducherry

In Puducherry, 30 transplant athletes came together for a National Pétanque Training Camp, organised by the Transplant and Para Sports Association of Puducherry (TAPSAP) with support from ORGAN India.

The camp focused on developing technical skills, coordination and match strategy, while also providing an opportunity for athletes to train together in preparation for the upcoming 2nd Pétanque Championship in Thailand.

Beyond the sporting development, the camp played an important role in building confidence, strengthening team connections and supporting athletes in their continued journey post-transplant.

Rajasthan Launches First Multi-Sport Training Camp

In Jaipur, the Rajasthan Transplant Games Federation (RTGF), supported by ORGAN India, hosted the state’s first multi-sport training camp for transplant recipients and donors.

The camp brought together 40 participants across three sports:

• Archery, with national-level coaching support
• Pétanque, including the development of India’s first gravel terrain court
• Darts, focusing on precision and concentration

This initiative marks an important step in expanding transplant sport opportunities at a regional level and encouraging wider participation.

International Success in Thailand

Indian transplant athletes also achieved notable success internationally.

S. Nagavasu Naidu, a liver transplant recipient and Forest Department professional, delivered an outstanding performance at the World Masters Sports Championship in Thailand, winning:

• Gold in Racewalk
• Gold in the 800m

His achievements demonstrate the level of performance that transplant athletes can reach with dedication and long-term commitment.

Endurance in Goa

Umesh Dhavalikar, also a liver transplant recipient, recently completed the Vorrad Duathlon in Goa — a demanding endurance event involving a 60km cycle followed by a beach run in challenging conditions.

His participation highlights the growing involvement of transplant recipients in endurance sport and the increasing confidence of athletes to take on new challenges.

Growing a National Movement

From Puducherry to Jaipur, and from national camps to international competition, transplant sport in India is continuing to grow in both scale and visibility.

These initiatives not only support the physical and mental wellbeing of transplant recipients but also play an important role in raising awareness of organ donation.

A Shared Message

At the heart of each of these activities is a simple but powerful message:

Organ donation saves lives — and creates opportunities for people to live fully and actively beyond transplant.