Veep invites Serena to 50th anniversary celebration

Accra, Nov. 7, GNA - World acclaimed American Tennis Icon, Serena Williams on Tuesday expressed optimism about the future of the sport in Ghana, citing the brilliant talents she had discovered since her visit to the country some few days ago.

Serena said this during a meeting with the Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama at the Castle, Osu and willingly yielded to a request by the Vice President to make Ghana her second home to unearth the tennis talents embedded in the youth.

Flanked by members of her family, the tennis star said she had always dreamt of coming back to Africa and viewed her visit to Ghana as "a dream come true".

"I would be here next year," she said in a direct response to a request by the Vice President to be part of Ghana's 50th Golden Jubilee celebration.

Serena expressed satisfaction for being part of the recent Poliomyelitis vaccination and Anti-Malaria campaign in the country as a Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF, which offered her the opportunity to personally administer the polio vaccines to some children.

Alhaji Mahama lauded Ms Williams for her tennis exploits which he said is a source of pride to most Ghanaians, especially the youth. "Your visit would inspire especially girls to take interest in tennis and the sporting Ghanaians public will want you to come back to the country to stay.

"We are pulling the whole world to be part of the 50th anniversary celebrations and I hope you would come," he said with a broad smile.