It was a bright sunny morning on November 20^th and many roads and major junctions leading to the stadium were decorated with lots of banners, about organ donation and games meet, waving and fluttering in the breeze welcoming the participants. The stadium was bustling with activity and initial registrations were going on. About 235 people registered and 95 participated in the games events. Many school and college students carrying banners went in big groups for 2 kms “Organ donation awareness” walk on the roads around the stadium.

In the evening there was a function organised by All India Transplant Games Federation. His Excellency, the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Rangarajan was the chief guest. Trustee of Apollo Hospitals, Rotarians and other dignitaries were present. There was a forum about organ donation & transplantation, where donors and recipients spoke about their experiences. Issues like giving concessions to donors were discussed. The Governor symbolically signed a donor card and appealed to people to understand and support this concept and to carry a donor card. He also assured that form government’s side he would do all that was necessary to make the cadaver programme easier and to simplify the procedures. The evening witnessed a very lively cultural programme, where many transplant patients participated, and was wrapped up with a dinner.

November 21^st was the action day. The stadium came alive  with the participation all dressed in track suits, full of enthusiasm and vigour, to take part of challenge  “ Back To Life “ – the theme of the event. There were transplant patients participating from Delhi, Lucknow, Bangalore, Erode, Coimbatore, Madurai, Pune, Bhopal, Patna and so on. Family members came in big groups witness the physical and mental strength of their near and dear ones to cheer and encourage them. There were many track events- 400M, 100M & 50M walk, 100M & 50M running, relay race, javelin, shot put, sack race etc., there was plenty of cheering, laughter and encouragement when the participants displayed their athletic skills and kept the organisers on their toes. Medals were awarded for the first three winners of each of the events and presented after each event. At 3.30 PM there was a formal closing ceremony where the beast male and female athlete award was given – a lovely silver icon of Charminar, sponsored by Novartis. The best male athlete award went to Mr. Balakumaran of Coimbatore, who had undergone two transplant of the kidney and the best female athlete award went to Miss. Vandana Kola of Pune. 

The All India Transplant Games Meet, not only, gave an opportunity to the transplant patients to show their power and determination but also enabled to prove the success of transplant in medical history.