Ludhiana, August 12
They haven’t hit the court or track yet and already this group of athletes has performed death-defying feats. They all carry an inner trophy — a new organ that qualifies them for the dream team in the game of life. Their ultimate trial will kick off at Guru Nanak Stadium here, the site selected for the 2006 Transplant Games, when the city will play host to 9th All India Transplant Games and SAARC Transplant Olympics being organised jointly by the All India Transplant Games Federation, the Society for Constructive Education and Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).

Dr Baldev Singh Aulakh, urologist and transplant surgeon at the DMCH, who is the chief organiser of the mega event, announced at a news conference here today that the games, to be held on October 27 and 28, 2006, would be an Olympic-style event for athletes, who have received life-saving organ transplants of any type — kidney, liver, heart, lung, cornea, pancreas or bone marrow. The participating transplant athletes will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals in different sports, including track and field, swimming, tennis. Organised biennially, the Transplant Games draw participants from all over the country.

According to Dr Aulakh, more than 100,000 Indians were currently suffering from ‘end stage renal disease’ per year needing organ transplant and 30 of them die each day while waiting for a donor. “The Transplant Games showcase the success of transplantation, demonstrating the life-saving power of organ donation”. 

Dr Dinesh Jain, co-organiser, expressed confidence that the spirited competition by those having undergone transplants would slam home the message that every Indian should consider becoming an organ donor. Attendance at the 2006 Transplant Games was expected to surpass the participation in the earlier editions of the games if the enthusiasm witnessed among athletes, their families and friends and families of organ donors was any indication.

Dr Aulakh said the athlete participants ranged in age from two to 85 years. In addition to athletic competition, the games would host special workshops for donor families and an educational programme for professionals involved in transplantation. An ‘Awareness Walk’ would be held before the commencement of games. “We are dedicated to prevent kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well being of individuals and families affected by these diseases and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation.”

He remarked that donors and recipients of organs like kidney and liver were keenly looking forward to their participation in the games. “These persons have received the gift of a new life and what other better way they have than to put up an animated performance in the track and field events to spread the message of getting transplant done as also to motivate the potential donors ?”

Ludhiana, August 12
Bharatiya Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Udham Singh Nagar, Ludhiana, quelled a strong challenge from their rivals from Government Model Senior Secondary School, PAU before emerging champions in football (boys u-17) in the Punjab School Zonal Tournament which concluded at Punjab Agricultural University ground here today. They won the final 2-1.

The final turned out to be a battle of nerves as the issue remained unresolved at the end of regular period. The match was decided in a tie breaker. Mohit and Simranpreet Singh struck for the winners while Amritveer was the lone scorer for PAU School.

The final (u-19) too was a keen tussle as the two teams, Government Senior Secondary School, PAU and Government Senior Secondary School, Cemetery road were tied goal less after the stipulated period. In the tie breaker, PAU school lads proved their mettle as they romped home victorious 4-3. For PAU school Daljeet, Ravinder Singh, Kuljinder and Mohinder Pal found the target while Amit, Taranjeet and Gagandeep scored for the losers.

Bharatiya Vidya Mandir School, Udham Singh Nagar players also won the volleyball title in the boys (u-17). In the final, they proved too good for Government School, Gobind Nagar team whom they beat in straight sets 25-4 and 25-16.

In the boys u-19 section, Kundan Vidya Mandir School, Civil Lines, defeated Bharatiya Vidya Mandir School, Kitchlu Nagar, 25-10 and 25-16 to emerge as the zone champions.

The badminton matches were played at Tagore Public School, Aggar Nagar. In the boys (u-14), Kundan Vidya Mandir School scored 2-0 win over Green Land Senior Secondary School while Tagore Public School outplayed Kundan Vidya Mandir School 2-0 to emerge winners in the boys (u-17) section. In the u-19, Tagore Public School beat Green Land Senior Secondary School 2-0 to stamp their supremacy.

In basketball (boys u-19), Government Senior Secondary School (Multipurpose), Ludhiana drubbed P S Khalsa Senior Secondary School 69-44 to emerge as the zone champions.

Ludhiana, August 12
Government Senior Secondary School, Jarkhar and Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, began their campaign with victories in the Punjab School Zonal Hockey Tournament (Baddowal zone), which started at Mata Sahib Kaur Sports Stadium at Jarkhar, near here, today.

In the match (boys U-17), Government School, Jarkhar, beat Malwa Senior Secondary School, Ludhiana, 2-0. Sukhchain and Deepak were the scorers for Jarkhar school while in another match, Sacred Heart School, BRS Nagar, Ludhiana, prevailed over Dashmesh Public School, Kaind, 1-0. In the U-14 years, Sacred Heart School, BRS Nagar, Ludhiana, beat Baba Ishar Singh School, Ludhiana, 2-1.