Maybole girl Kayleigh aims for Emirates medal

Nov 25 2011 by Edwin Lawrence, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A TWELVE-YEAR-OLD schoolgirl is heading for the Middle East to take part in a big international athletics competition.

Kayleigh Haggo will represent Scotland in the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sport Federation (IWAS) World Games in the United Arab Emirates.

The event is rated second only to the Paralympics, and Kayleigh is thrilled is to be taking part in the race running competition.

She said: “Only the best disabled athletes in the world compete, and I am very much looking forward to going.

“This is the first time race running will be featured at the IWAS World Games, so that makes it even more exciting.”

Kayleigh, who has a Petra running bike, only began taking part in competitions this year.

And she has already bagged 24 gold medals, two silvers, and a number of certificates for personal best performances.

Kayleigh, who has cerebral palsy, lives in Maybole, and is a pupil at Carrick Academy.

In athletics, she competes for ACE, Red Star and Scottish Disability Sports.

She is also massively into swimming, is a member of Kilmarnock Jets, and recently made it into the West of Scotland Swimming Squad.

The IWAS games are held in Sharjah, the third largest city in the United Arab Emirates, in early December.

Kayleigh is going with her mum Sandra and her coach. And they will be joined Ayr Grammar Primary pupil Gavin Drysdale and his dad Peter.

Gavin featured in the Ayrshire Post earlier this year after scooped Ayrshire Sportsability’s Young Athlete of the Year award.

Gutsy Gavin, who also has cerebral palsy, last year notched two world records in the European Race Running Championships in Denmark.

Kayleigh said: “The IWAS games are mainly for seniors, although there are also youth events this time.

“And Gavin and I hope to help further raise the profile of the sport, and maybe bring home a medal.”