Perth twins embark on African sporting Odyssey

Jul 13 2010 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

PERTH twins Gayle and Katrina Lindsay will this week travel to Zambia in east Africa to take part in a pioneering community sports project.

The sibling duo (21) have signed-up to a two-week programme that will see them work with underprivileged school children Livingstone, a town which bears the name of renowned explorer, Dr David Livingstone.

Both multi-discipline coaches at Bell’s Sports Centre the Fair City duo will be involved in a variety awareness-raising campaigns as part of the initiative, presided over by development charity, African Impact.

The big-hearted campaign focuses on the nutritional, social and health benefits fitness activities can promote, and will culminate in a football tournament titled ‘Kicking Out AIDS’.

It’s estimated that one in six individuals in Zambia is currently living with the blood-borne virus, which has reached epidemic proportions across the continent.

Gayle said: “We chose to work with African Impact because it encourages volunteers to pass their coaching knowledge and experience to local sports leaders within the community.”

Katrina added: “The aim is to help the community help itself.”

Kerr Smith, the operations manager at Bell’s, heaped praise on the pair’s decision to get involved with the potentially life-saving initiative.

He said: “We want to wish Gayle and Katrina the best of luck and are delighted to be supporting our coaches with what is an impressive committment.

“I’m confident that the local children they meet will love their enthusiasm for sport as much as the kids they coach here do.

“We’ve donated a wide range of equipment which Gayle and Katrina will leave in Zambia once they return home.

“Everyone involved with Perth and Kinross Leisure is hoping this will increase the quality of the training sessions in Livingstone – both now, and in the future.”