Sporting success for Ikhlaq at European Transplant Sports Championships and British Transplant Games
Ikhlaq Ahmed, Health Records Stores Assistant at the Trust, had a successful summer of sport representing Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the European Transplant Sports Championships
(ETSC) in Lisbon, Portugal and the British Transplant Games held in Nottingham.
These games raise awareness for organ donation and encourage transplant recipients to lead active lifestyles and provide a valuable opportunity to meet and interact with people who have shared experiences.
Ikhlaq won gold in pétanque and silver in darts at ETSC and at the British Transplant Games won gold in the 5k race walk event. He has also been selected to represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the 2025 World Transplant Games in Dresden.
As a child Ikhlaq was diagnosed with a chronic kidney disease caused by bladder reflux, a condition where urine flows backward from the bladder to the kidneys. Over time his condition progressively worsened, and this resulted in kidney failure, requiring dialysis three times a week for four-hour sessions each time which significantly impacted his life and schooling.
Ikhlaq received his new kidney in December 2013 but that came with mixed emotions. He was happy to receive the call having spent over two and a half years on dialysis, but Ikhlaq was also aware that someone had lost a loved one and made the brave decision for their organs to be donated to give the gift of life to another on the transplant list.
Following his transplant Ikhlaq has competed at the 2014 British Transplant Games, the 2016 European Transplant Games, the 2019 World Transplant Games, winning gold and bronze medals across bowling, darts and pétanque.
Ikhlaq said: “The games are a place where I can open up and talk to people about how I’m feeling and how I’m getting on as there is shared lived experience between us. It’s not about who comes first or who is the best, but the main aim is spreading awareness of organ donation as unfortunately, transplant is not a cure and everyone who has had a transplant may need another one in the future. Taking part at the games is amazing as 10 years ago I would be struggling to walk up the road let alone take part in national and international sporting events.”
Tom Roche, Trust Non-executive Director and Chair of the Organ and Tissue Donation Committee said: “Competing at these championships is such an achievement and on behalf of the Trust I want to congratulate Ikhlaq on his medals and wish him the best of luck for the World Transplant Games in Dresden next summer. It’s also really important to ensure you register your donation decision, two minutes now could save up to nine lives, be sure to leave your loved ones certain.”