Posted by Ademola Olajire on
Despite all the talk about getting the famous Williams sisters (Venus and Serena) to visit Nigeria, it appears the ladies are not, in any way, keen to come to the most populous black nation in the universe.
Despite all the talk about getting the famous Williams sisters (Venus and Serena) to visit Nigeria, it appears the ladies are not, in any way, keen to come to the most populous black nation in the universe.
Saturday Sports can report that the famous tennis-playing girls were in Accra, Ghana, recently and even spoke glowingly of how they enjoyed the former Gold Coast while making it clear they are unsure of what they would meet in other countries and, therefore, unwilling to venture beyond the Ghanaian capital for now!
Serena and Venus arrived in Accra on Friday, November 3, in the company of their mother, Oracene, and spent three days 'having a nice time," in their own words.
It was billed to be a Serena-only affair but Venus, who has been off the circuit for months due to injury and other commitments, also showed up.
It was 25-year-old Serena's first visit to Ghana, while her mother, Oracene, is a regular visitor to the West African nation. 'Their mum is always around. She's a regular visitor to Accra, and says she enjoys the place anytime she comes," reported Veronica Commey, a Ghanaian sports journalist who works with the Ghana News Agency.
For many years now, Nigerian tennis lovers have been fed on great plans to bring the Williams sisters to Nigeria, making it look like a pretty difficult assignment. But, the girls were glad to be in Accra to conduct a clinic for the Accra Lawn Tennis Club.
About 60 kids below the age of 16, selected from various tennis clubs in the Ghanaian capital, took part in the one-day clinic on Monday, November 6. Saturday Sports also gathered that the main objective of the visit was to touch the lives of the less fortunate children, and inspire them to aspire to greater heights in life.
'With hard work and perseverance, and God being with you, you can reach the pinnacle, no matter your present situation", Serena was quoted as having told the children.
Oracene Williams, who is separated from the father of the famous ladies, Richard, spent time at Amissakrom, a small town near Elmina, and felt touched by the predicament of the less fortunate children. That made her decide to bring her daughters down to see the kids and inspire them.
Both Venus and Serena Williams dominated women's tennis for years, culminating in several grand slam titles, with Serena winning the US Open title at the age of 17. More US Open and Wimbledon titles have followed on the Williams trophy cabinet.
The Williams sisters also visited Senegal as part of their African tour.