Statement on the Cabinet Meeting held 20 July 2010 Cabinet supported the bid by the South African Transplant Sports Association to host the first World Transplant Games on the African continent. The games are scheduled to be held from 27 July to 4 August 2013 in Durban. read more... Durban to host World Transplant Games - SAinfo reporter 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. "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." Following the succesful hosting of the 2010 World Cup soccer tournament, comes the news that South Africa will play host to yet another global competition. The city of Durban will host the 19th World Transplant Games in July/August 2013. This after the World Transplant Games Federation (WTGF) announced that Durban had been given the nod ahead of rivals Tokyo, Japan. The announcement was made in Gotenborg, Sweden and South Africa won the bidding by a nailbiting six votes to five. An ecstatic Willie Uys, president of the SA Transplant Sports Association, thanked various support structures who assisted in bringing the games to South Africa. “From the outset we received great support from SASCOC and the Dept. of Sport & Recreation as well as receiving help with various aspects from the Durban Municipality / eThekwini Metro, Durban International Convention Centre and Tourism. “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 transplantation. We invite people and companies to partner with us in making this a sporting and life-changing experience for all participants, supporters and spectators.” The last World Transplant Games were held in Gold Coast, Australia and it’s expected that more than 50 countries will be represented by between 2000 and 5000 participants who would have undergone life-saving heart, lung, liver, pancreas, kidney and bone-marrow transplants. Many family members, friends and interested parties will attend the weeklong celebration of life and the giving of life. It will also help the city of Durban with more invaluable experience in the hosting of a global event, particularly with the city’s name being bandied about as a possible host city for the 2020 Olympic Games. |
