NEWPORT has officially been announced as the host city for the Westfield Health British Transplant Games 2019.

The event is expected to attract more than 850 transplant recipient athletes and more than 1,500 supporters, including donor families, to the city in the summer of 2019.

Organised on behalf of the charity Transplant Sport UK, the aim of the games is to raise awareness of and increase organ donation.

Newport council, Newport Live, Welsh Government and the games organisers will work in partnership for the event.

Councillor Debbie Wilcox, leader of Newport City Council, said: “We are honoured to have been selected to host this prestigious event. Newport has an excellent record of hosting sporting events from the Ryder Cup, Velothon, track cycling championships to Olympic and Paralympic training camps – but this event will be something special for the city.”

Held over four days, the transplant games include more than 25 sporting and social events and competitions for all abilities, from fishing through to track and field, including the Donor Run, an inclusive event open to the public.

Dr Paul Harden, chairman of Transplant Sport UK, said: “We are delighted to be taking the Transplant Games to Wales. We have seen the games grow from strength to strength and we are sure Newport will be able to follow on from the success of North Lanarkshire this year and Birmingham in 2018. 2019 is also an important year for us as the World Transplant Games comes to the UK, raising the important message of having the donation conversation with your family on an international level.”

Steve Ward, chief executive of Newport Live, added: “We are delighted to work with Newport City Council, Welsh Government and Transplant Sport UK to host these amazing people with amazing journeys for four days of sporting competition and personal achievement. We look forward to using our great facilities to inspire the athletes to be their best and I’m sure the event will inspire local people to join in the fun and see what you can achieve when you believe in yourself.”

Health secretary, Vaughan Gething, said: “Congratulations to Newport in securing the Westfield Health British Transplant Games with a very strong bid.”

Further information about the 2019 Games will be available shortly.

For more information about previous Transplant Games visit britishtransplantgames.co.uk