By MERCY GAKII

Activity came to a stop in the sleepy village of Matooni on the foothills of Manooni hills as Serena Wiliams, the world number two ranked tennis player, opened a secondary school named after her in the area on Friday.

Williams, who was accompanied by the Minister for Education, Professor Sam Ongeri, and the area MP, Peter Kiilu, could not hide her joy for being involved in the project.

‘I would like to contribute more to education projects in Africa, and I really want to thank the Hewlett Packard Company for choosing to partner with me in this noble project,’ Williams told the ecstatic crowd.

The school, which has been named after the player, was built in record one month, and is fully equipped with a computer laboratory and Internet facilities for the students.

[PIC] — US tennis star Serena Williams arrives at Serena Williams Secondary School in Makueni District, Kenya on Friday accompanied by Education Minister

Ongeri lauded the tennis star for her efforts, and requested more people to contribute in making Kenya’s free secondary education a success, noting that secondary school enrolment had gone up in the country over the past three years.

School registration

‘In 2005, we had 5.2 million children in primary schools. Today they are in the range of 8.2 million, and all these children need to be able to access secondary school education.’

He assured the area residents that all the schools that had not yet received registration will have their paper work completed.

‘I will also personally make sure that this school, which has been opened today, is registered as a matter of urgency.’

Studies were temporarily interrupted as the little-known village received international limelight when local and international press joined the locals in witnessing the memorable occasion.

‘Our children are in dire need of the school because all the other secondary schools around this location are already packed with students,’ said an elated villager.

Among other guests at the function were the area District Commissioner, Esther Lokwei, the vice-president of Hewlett Pakard worldwide, Satjiv Chahil, and the project manager of Build African Schools, Dickson Mutaiti.

On Saturday, Williams will join young tennis players at Sadili Oval Club for a round of tennis as well as a motivational talks.

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   Serena speaking at ‘Serena Williams Secondary School’

   Serena and mother Oracene Williams

   Serena paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Raila Odinga

   Serena with Sports Minister Prof. Hellen Sambili & Dr. Elizabeth Odera at Sadili Oval Club

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By CHRISTOPHER CLAREY

Power, pressure serving and grass-court experience prevailed Thursday as Serena and Venus Williams earned the right to make the final a family affair.

WIMBLEDON, England — Standing on the now-patchy grass of Centre Court on Thursday and smiling at her family in the players’ box with delight and a bit of relief in her eyes, Serena Williams was also looking at the only woman left who can stop her from winning a third Wimbledon title.

That would be her older sister Venus, who will try to win her fifth singles title at the All England Club.

   Serena, left, and Venus Williams will meet in the women’s singles finals at Wimbledon.

It has been five years since the Williamses played each other for a Grand Slam trophy, five years since Serena beat Venus here in straight sets in the 2003 final; five years since the sisters dominated their sport and the rest of the field was trying in vain to catch up to their power, athleticism and self-belief……[MORE >>]

REFERENCES:

>> Why Serena Williams will not vote for Barack Obama

Venus Williams quote: “Some people say that I have an attitude- Maybe I do. But I think that you have to. You have to believe in yourself when no one else does- that makes you a winner right there.”