Warm welcome for Williams sisters

[Karl]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><SPAN class=TopStory>Warm welcome for Williams sisters</SPAN>
<SPAN class=Subheadline></SPAN></TD></TR><TR><TD>DANIA BOGLE, Observer staff reporter
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=350 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD><SPAN class=Description>Champion sisters Serena (second right) and Venus Williams (right) hit tennis balls with children during a tennis clinic at the Jamaica Pegasus yesterday. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)</SPAN></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><P class=StoryText align=justify>Tennis' most famous sisters, Venus and Serena Williams, arrived yesterday for a three-day visit, but while the pair were greeted by throngs of adoring fans, and well-wishers at the airport and the Jamaica Pegasus, there was an air of discontent among some who felt the visit was poorly organised.<P class=StoryText align=justify>A planned tennis clinic for approximately 100 inner-city and high school children, which was scheduled to start at the Pegasus at 4:00 pm did not begin until almost an hour and a half later, but some children got the opportunity to hit a few balls with Venus and Serena, while many did not.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Patrick Nelson of organisers Visions Multimedia Incorporated (VMI) told the Observer that much of the delay happened because the sisters were disconcerted by the crowd which met them at the airport.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"They were a bit thrown off by the paparazzi," he said.<P class=StoryText align=justify>A member of the Williams' entourage, an agent from the Williams Morris Agency also implied that the sisters found the reception overwhelming.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"It's just too much," he told the Observer when the newspaper attempted to speak to Serena.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The visit is mainly sponsored by Olint, whose lead principal David Smith told the Observer that his foreign exchange trading company came on board after being approached by VMI.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"...the sisters would be coming to get involved in uplifting inner-city people with motivational speaking and some training clinics for the youth in Jamaica. They asked if I would like to get involved and I told them yes I'd be interested in covering whatever," Smith said.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The sisters are expected to head to Montego Bay today for another clinic before leaving the island tomorrow.
Serena Williams won her eighth grand slam title two weeks ago, defeating world number one Maria Sharapova 6-1, 6-2 in the Australian Open final at Melbourne Park. Venus Williams has won five grand slam titles.

[Karl]

RE: Warm welcome for Williams sisters

<DIV id=printReady>

Williams sisters here for two-day visit
published: Tuesday | February 6, 2007 <DIV class=KonaBody PgAjQ="true">

LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter


American tennis players Venus (front) and Serena Williams (in glasses), disembark at Norman Manley International Airport, yesterday, as they arrive in the island for a two-day visit. At the top of the stairs is the tennis players' sister, Isha. The Williams sisters are scheduled to attend The Gleaner's Spelling Bee National Championships, this afternoon, at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer



Tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams arrived in the island yesterday at the Norman Manley International Airport for a tightly packed two- day-trip.

Often referred to as the Williams sisters, the women held a tennis clinic at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel yesterday.

Over 300 kids from 27 schools participated at the clinic.

Venus says they were "overwhelmed by the reception" they got.

"I'm happy that I'm in Jamaica and thank everyone for welcoming us here. The turnout and reception is really overwhelming," she added.

Reception


United States Grand Slam tennis champions, Serena Williams (second right), and her sister Venus (standing) get acquainted with students from 27 schools in the corporate Area during a tennis clinic at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston yesterday. - Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer



Both sisters were also given a plaque on behalf of the Pegasus hotel through its tennis manager, Sharon Dolandson, and tennis pro Philbert Palmer.

A reception was held in their honour at the same hotel later in the evening.

The Williams sisters are also scheduled to visit Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and attend The Gleaner'sChildren's Own Spelling Bee National Finals today, but up to press time last night this could not be confirmed.

A number of media houses were present for the Williams sisters' arrival at the airport but oddly, they were not allowed to speak to the press because "of a tightly packed schedule", according to Clive ****an, CEO of VMI Limited, the organiser of the visit.

First off the plane

The Williams sisters were first off the plane from the business class and were greeted by Minister of Tourism, Aloun Assamba, and ****an. Several airport workers stopped to catch snapshots of the women with digital cameras and camera phones.

As the sisters became more visible, the workers could be seen pointing with excitement on their faces.

"I like the way they play tennis," said Meleshia Lawrence as she watched from about 20 feet away.

Another airport worker, Steve Johnson, who tried to get his shot between a throng of cameramen, said he likes them because of what they represent.

"(I'm not really a tennis fan) but I've watched their careers and admire them, along with Tiger Woods, as black people who excel in sports played mostly by whites," said Johnson.

After being presented with bouquets by government officials, the Williams sisters were escorted to the VIP Lounge at the airport where they were allowed to freshen-up.

****an and Assamba spoke briefly to the media as the sisters sat between them.

The minister also congratulated Serena on her recent victory in the Australian Open. The sisters were then scurried outside where three SUV's waited for them and their entourage.

Their traveling party includes agent Evan Levy, sisters Lyndrea and Isha, cousin Rachel Alexander and family friend Vale De-Felice. They are scheduled to l

[Sickko]

RE: Warm welcome for Williams sisters

I was at their stop in MoBay today, at Ritz Carlton and also Half Moon...was surprised by Venus' height and Serena's width...pictures are never able to really give you the real view.

[Sickko]

RE: Warm welcome for Williams sisters

Overwhelmed by Paparazzi in Jamaica???? One thing about jamaicans is that we never act the fool for celebs like other places.

I recall a few years ago I was in negril at Margueritaville and members of Boys II Men were there and no one even paid them any mind...people were too caught up enjoying Oscar B and Byron lee to care what these Americans were doing, which was watching the show too.

A few months later they came to perform at SumFest and it was more thanhomourous to see them with these hulking, fat six foot body guards.

Who would bum rush Boys II Men?

The girls were taken to meet the PM at Ritz Carlton today as she was taking part in a CARICOM heads of govt meeting and it was obvious they wished to be eslewhere, it bordered on being rude and a few of the diplomats said as much.

[Mosiah]

RE: Warm welcome for Williams sisters

True dat. Mi tiyad fi see all kinda stars at the airport and elsewhere and there is never a mass bum rush. Of course, some people will approach them but nutten like what would happen on Flatbush Avenue or in Tmes Square.