That was the message from Sports Minister Edwin Poots MLA as he spoke to representatives from the World Transplant Games Federation (WTGF) at a special reception jointly hosted with Health Minister Michael McGimpsey in Parliament Buildings.
President of the WTGF, Olivier Coustere and Secretary, Gary Green are on a two-day visit to Belfast to assess the sporting facilities, accommodation, medical facilities and venues for cultural activities.
Minister Poots said: “Northern Ireland has a wealth of talent both on and off the sporting field. We have the ability and expertise to host international events that would rival some of the world's biggest cities.
“Our proven track record of delivering international events such as Rally Ireland, North West 200 and the Walker Cup, shows that Northern Ireland is a serious contender to be successful in its bid to host the World Transplant Games in 2011.
“It is important that international sporting events such as these are staged for transplant athletes of all ages to demonstrate the physical success of transplant surgery.
The Minister continued: “I fully support the Belfast bid to host the World Transplant Games and wish the Local Organising Committee from Sport Northern Ireland, Transplant Sport UK and Belfast City Council every success with securing the bid.”
Belfast has been short-listed along with Arhus, Denmark and Gothenburg, Sweden to host the 2011 World Transplant Games.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said: “I know that if the games were to come to Northern Ireland it would provide a message of hope to those waiting for a transplant as well as a level of comfort to the families of loved ones who have donated organs, by actively displaying the level of health, fitness and enjoyment of life that can be restored in an individual after transplant.
“In Northern Ireland alone there are currently 300 people waiting for a transplant. The games will be an important step in raising awareness of the benefits of transplantation and I would hope that more people will consider registering as organ donors.”
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