We came to inspire Nigerian women – Williams sisters

By John Egbokhan

Famous sports superstars, Venus and Serena Williams, have said that they came to Nigeria to promote women’s tennis and the empowerment of women in the most populated country in sub-sahara Africa

US tennis superstars Venus (Center R) and Serena Williams (Center L) dance with children during a program entitled “Kick Like a Girl”, after an interactive session with students of the Federal Government College in Lagos, on Thursday. The Williams sisters, accompanied by their mother Oracene Price are in Lagos as part of a two-nation tour to usher in a change to Nigerian tennis and empower women and the girl child. Photo: AFP

Speaking with reporters in Lagos’ commercial hub, Victoria Island, the pair who between them, have won 22 Grand Slam titles, said they hope their presence in Nigeria, which saw them conduct a tennis club at the Ikoyi Club 1938, hold a conference with secondary school pupils and play an exhibition match at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club yesterday, was going to spark a change in the way Nigerian women do things.
Alongside their mother, Oracene, the Williams sisters, were treated with royalty by their loving hosts and they felt at home.
Taking their own successes in women’s tennis, a sport which before them was dominated by white players, the sisters want to inspire Nigerian women to take up the sport.
They also want them to pursue their dreams, irrespective of the stumbling blocks that are the lots of many a Nigerian women.
“We were able to break the mould and win a lot of Grand Slams and change the face of tennis, at a time,  when tennis was very dominated by white people,” said Serena, who is 31.
She added that “It doesn’t matter what your background is and where you come from, if you have dreams and goals, that’s all that matters,”
Venus, who is a year older than her sister, said that Nigerian women must believe in their ability to get to the peak of their careers.
“Self-belief is very important in life. Nigerian women must believe that they can succeed. We did it and that is the message we bring to Nigerian women. It is possible to become the very best if you believe and work on the things that would make you achieve those dreams.
“I also believe that Nigerian tennis players can also become great if they train well, believe and stay focused”, added Venus.
Vanguard