Commonwealth games gets underway

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Monday October 4, 2010 00:00

India has received bad press in the run-up to the games with fears of terrorist attacks and reports that the facilities are filthy. The Botswana team to the games did not arrive in one piece as some athletes are based outside the country while various codes held final preparations in different places.

The boxers went for a training camp in Mauritius three weeks back and became the first Botswana representatives to arrive in New Delhi last Monday. The team apparently spent a night in a hotel and only moved to the athletes' village the following day.  Next to arrive on Tuesday was the bowlers and most members of the athletics team.

The team went through the same procedure as the boxers, spending a night in a hotel and only proceeding to the games' village a day later.

United States-based sprinter Obakeng Ngwigwa jetted in solo to join the team at the hotel. Others like German-based Kabelo Kgosiemang athlete and the US-based squash duo of Lefika Ragontse and Lekgotla Masope were expected later.

Meanwhile, the team had its official welcome ceremony on Botswana's Independence Day last Thursday in a function arranged by the Botswana High Commission in India. While in India, the athletes will have the opportunity to visit the world acclaimed heritage site of Taj Mahal.

The chef de mission of the Botswana team, Tuelo Serufho said they hope for a good performance at the games.He said the team is on course to deliver the targeted eight medals.

Botswana is represented in four sporting codes of boxing, lawn bowls, squash and athletics. Lawn bowls and squash are scheduled to start competing today while boxers get into action tomorrow followed by athletes on Wednesday.

The games suffered a dent when some countries threatened to pull out after news broke that India has made shoddy preparations. Many countries cited safety and security reasons in their intentions to pull-out.

Questions over safety arose two weeks ago when a pedestrian bridge next to the major stadium collapsed causing injuries and fatalities. A ceiling at the weightlifting centre caved in the same day.

There were also fears of lose safety measures at the athletes' village after a snake was found in one of the rooms.  This led some countries to pressing panic buttons and send part of their delegations to assess the situation.  President of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Michael Fennel had to intervene and assure participants that all is well and the games will go ahead. The games will continue until the 14th of this month.