Ahmedabad: Joylympics brings cheer to children with thalassemia

Ahmedabad: Children living with thalassemia major spent three days on the Ahmedabad Red Cross Society campus, taking part in cricket, pickleball, chess and other activities as Joylympics 2026 turned the venue into a hub of sport, culture and shared confidence from May 28 to May 30.

Children from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana participated in the event, travelling from cities including Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat, Nadiad, Hyderabad, Indore, Bhopal and several parts of Rajasthan.

The programme featured multiple competitions designed to balance participation with safety and comfort. A cricket tournament included 14 teams of eight players each, while a pickleball tournament had 20 teams competing in knockout matches. The chess competition had over 45 participants, and carrom and mini games attracted more than 100 children. A talent hunt competition received over 30 entries.

“We organised the first Joylympics last year with participation of around 100 children from Gujarat in two sports. This year, children from other states also joined,” said Dr Kalyani Trivedi, vice-chairperson, Red Cross Ahmedabad.

Among the participants was 24-year-old Hitesh Nakum from Dwarka, who played cricket and carrom. “My father is a farmer and my treatment is going on in Jamnagar. I love playing cricket. I also took part in Khel Maha Kumbh. Though I get tired after some time and need rest, I still enjoy playing,” Nakum said.

Durga, a representative from Thalassemia Society Hyderabad, said a delegation had travelled from Telangana. “Twenty children from Telangana participated in the games,” she said.

Ahmedabad participant Parth Trivedi, who joined the cricket event, highlighted the role of sports in staying active. “I require two units of blood every month and feel weak if I play for long, but I enjoy playing box cricket,” he said.