1. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2008
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Serena spends day at Sadili
Serena Williams poses with children after taking them through a training session at Sadili Oval Tennis
Academy in Nairobi on Saturday. Photos/MOHAMMED AMIN
In Summary
 Tennis star coaches children at tennis academy after opening school
By MERCY GAKII
Serena Williams, the world number two ranked tennis player, was quite at home on the
court as she took children through the paces at Sadili Oval Tennis Academy in Nairobi on
Saturday.
Serena who was accompanied by Sports Minister Hellen Sambili to the venue in Langata,
first watched the young players go through their practise session as she stood by to give
them a few tips.
She then took to the court and gave instructions to a select group of girls and boys, after
which they played a round of tennis doubles.
Serena, who played for the better part of the morning with children who range from the age
of eight to 18 years, expressed her satisfaction at the reception that she has so far received in
Kenya.

2. “Kenya has beautiful people and I plan to come back here to be a part of projects such as
tennis coaching. The spirit of Kenyans is second to none,” she said.
The children who had the opportunity to play tennis with Serena only had praises for the
sports star who took time to show them basic moves in the game.
“My dream has come true today. I always dreamt of playing with her on the same court, and
possibly hit the ball down on her,” said 16-year-old Terry Odera, who had the rare chance to
share the court with Serena.
“I will now focus on more serious training in order to make it in the sport like her. But I have
also learnt that being a celebrity means living your life in the public life, which is not at all
easy. That’s the part I did not quite enjoy.”
On her part, 17-year-old Sakina Nshirimana learnt plenty of skills during her half hour on
the court with the fashion and tennis queen.
“I have learnt how to control the ball and make more rallies without making as many
mistakes. My dream to see her has come more than true and now my focus is to be like her. I
think it can come true too,” an elated Nshirimana said.
Serena enjoyed every moment on the court as she clapped and gestured happily to
encourage the youngsters.
“She (Serena) makes the game look so easy to play,” commented one of the boys who train at
the academy.
“She has proved to Kenyan youth that a person can succeed both academically and in sports
with self discipline and trust in God,” said Sambili.
The Serena entourage leaves the country on Sunday for Senegal, where she will initiate the
building of more schools. One school that she has built, and is named after her, is already up
and running in Makueni District.