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Friday July 15, 2005 Organ recipients can still lead active lifestyle

BY OLIVIA LEE

SEPANG: Yeau Kok Keong lived an active life and was passionate about badminton. Just before his 21st birthday, he was devastated to learn he had renal failure and needed a kidney transplant.

His mother immediately offered to donate her kidney. Thirteen years later, Yeau now 34, is still grateful for the “gift” as he was able to return to active sports.

Yesterday, he and nine other transplant patients left for the World Transplant Games, which he has taken part in since 1997.

And he has done the country proud by winning the gold medal each time at the biennial games.

“I'm excited to represent Malaysia again and, hopefully, defend my badminton singles and doubles titles,” said Yeau.

The World Transplant Games held in Canada will see some 1,500 athletes from 64 countries demonstrating the level of health and vitality that can be achieved even after organ transplants.

For Yeau's teammate businessman N. Ganesh Bahadur, 59, this trip is his first.

“I'll do my best,” said Ganesh who received his kidney from his wife.

“I feel very good and I'm really keen to go,” he said at the KL International Airport as he waited to fly to the Canadian city of London.

Others in the team are kidney transplant recipients Kaldip Singh Ajmer Singh, Tay Ka Hoo, Lee Chen Hoe, Vong Choy Tiow, and Chan Fong Ying, bone marrow transplant patient S. Chandra and heart transplant recipient Yong Sze Teck.

MALAYSIA BOLEH: Yeau (left), Ganesh (third from left) and the rest of the Malaysian team are all geared up for the World Transplant Games in Canada.

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They will compete in badminton, table tennis, walkathon, swimming, bowling and cricket ball throw during the games from July 16 to 24.

At the previous games in Nancy, France, in 2003, the Malaysian contingent emerged 23rd out of 44 countries, and brought home four gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

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