Paying tribute to donor who saved his life

Anil Balmakund goes into every international squash tournament carrying with him the memory of someone he has never met.

The 44-year-old is part of the 57-strong South African contingent due to participate in the World Transplant Games, which begin on Saturday.

Balmakund spent nearly five years on dialysis after his kidneys failed until he received a kidney from an unknown donor in 1998.

"The transplant changed my life," he said.

"I didn't get to meet the family of the donor because of the rules prohibiting us from meeting them." So participating in the games is his way of honouring his donor.

"I take my donor with me as a way to say thanks."

The 19th world games start in Durban on July 27 and athletes from about 50 countries are expected to compete.

The event is intended to offer hope to those awaiting transplants and encourage the public to become donors by showing the difference organ transplants can make to the lives of young and old.

This is the third time Balmakund will be participating in the transplant games.

In 2009, he won a bronze medal in squash, but he topped that with a gold medal in the singles in 2011.

Balmakund, who is from Chatsworth, said he intended to retain his title this year, especially because it would mean doing so in front of a home crowd.

Until now, only Balmakund's wife and brother have seen him in action.

"My parents will be able to finally see me play and they are both extremely excited.

"In many ways, my family have been ambassadors of the organ-donor society by spreading the word about how one person can save so many lives. This will be my way of giving back to them."

Balmakund said he also hoped to reconnect with the friends he had made at the other transplant games he attended.

"It's great, because now that they are coming here they get to see where I live and I can show them around. We will definitely be holding a big dinner for everyone."