Williams sisters
By Duro Ikhazuagbe
International tennis superstars, Serena and Venus Williams, are expected to touch down in Lagos Tuesday as part of their Breaking The Mould (BTM) campaign tour of the African continent.
According to the programme of tour made available to THISDAY, Serena in booked to fly into the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at 3pm and head straight to the Federal Palace Hotel where reservations have been made for her and Venus.
The senior Williams sister, Venus, will not arrive MMIA until 9pm due to flight connections and will also be joining Serena at the refurbished five-star hotel on the Lagos Island.
The African-American sisters are expected to pay a courtesy call on Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola at the State House in Marina on Wednesday morning before heading out to Ikoyi Club to conduct clinic for selected kids at the Tennis Section of the highbrow club.
The third day of the Williams sisters visit to Nigeria will be used to pay visits to undisclosed schools to motivate the students on the essence of hard work. The day is to be rounded up with a Gala Dinner.
Before departing Nigeria on Friday, November 2, the Williams sisters are to play exhibition/ warm up games at the Ikoyi Club. It will be the first time the sisters will pitch their strengths against each other on the tennis court anywhere in Africa.
Already, the agency handling ticket sales told THISDAY last night that most of the tickets have been sold out.
“Even the VIP Tickets that are going for N10,000 per person are almost sold out,” said the source Monday night.
‘‘Breaking The Mould’’ (BTM) campaign, a women’s empowerment initiative that has already garnered international support. The intent of Breaking The Mould initiative is to recognise and acknowledge the role that women play in shifting perceptions and encouraging development at all levels across the African continent.
“Serena and Venus are role 'Mould Breakers' having gone through the crucibles of life to become what they are today. As ‘Champions of Change’, they are coming to Lagos to encourage more women to break moulds that have stood between them and their potentials,” said a statement from the organisers of the tour of Lagos.