Nizam Mazlan, 37, of Wyndham Vale, thought he would never play football
again. Now he’s training to represent Australia at the inaugural Transplant Football
World Cup.
When Mazlan was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease his quality of life decreased
rapidly. Trying to juggle full time work and dialysis treatments left very little time to
do what he loved or spend time with his growing family. In 2021, Mazlan got the life
changing call that he was going to receive a kidney transplant.
Post-transplant, Mazlan felt like a whole new person began living life to the absolute fullest.
A football fan since childhood, Mazlan was thrilled when he learned about the
Transplant Australia Football Club and even more thrilled when selected to represent
Australia at the 2024 Transplant Football World Cup in Italy.
“It is a great honour to be part of the World Cup team, this is the opportunity of a lifetime,” he said.
“I want to make my donor proud and give hope to people currently on dialysis waiting
for a transplant.”
The Transplant Football World Cup is an initiative started by the World Transplant
Games Federation that provides a new and exciting international event for
transplant football players. Teams composed of heart, lung, liver, kidney, pancreas,
and bone marrow recipients will come together for a week-long celebration of the
gift of life in Cervia, Italy. Men and women of all ages are eligible to compete in the
7-a-side competition which will follow the FIFA World Cup format.
The team will be coached by former A league Professional Player, Josh Rose.
Rose, who amassed over 350 professional games in a 17-year career including many years at
the Central Coast Mariners, said he was inspired to lead the team after his brother Luke had two kidney transplants.
“When you look at the team on the pitch you would have no understanding of the
health battles they have faced,” Rose said.
“They are truly inspiring, and we hope to give the
World Cup a real shake.”
Participation at the Transplant Football World Cup is self-funded. If you would like to
support Nizam Mazlan on his journey to the Transplant Football World Cup, please visit,
transplant-australia-football-club.raisely.com/nizam-mazlan
There are currently 1,800 Australians waiting for a life-saving transplant.
To register as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.donatelife.gov.au and
share your decision with your family.
Cade Lucas.
