Snake found in Games tennis venue

| Tuesday September 28, 2010 00:00

'We were requested by the Games authorities to help them rescue a snake spotted in the R.K. Khanna tennis stadium,' Kartick Satyanarayan, head of animal conservation group Wildlife SOS India, told AFP.

'We caught the snake and we removed it from the premises.' On Sunday, South African High Commissioner Harris Mbulelo Mejeke also complained about a snake found in one of the rooms of his country's athletes in the Games village. 'If snakes are found we can't ask our teams to stay there,' Mejeke told reporters before entering the village. 'That was a threat to the lives of our athletes. Very disappointing,' he added.

The Games are mired in a range of problems from unfinished athletes' accommodation to security fears, an outbreak of mosquito-borne dengue fever and doubts about public safety after the collapse of a new footbridge last week.

Snakes and particularly the King Cobra are venerated in India as religious symbols worn by Lord Shiva, the god of destruction. India has 238 species of the reptile, of which 50 are poisonous.

Delhi authorities said last Friday they had also begun rounding up stray dogs that have been spotted in a number of venues for the Games, which begin on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Botswana team left yesterday for India to take part in the Commonwealth Games which kick off on October 3.

An advance party led by Chef de Mission, Tuelo Serufho left on Saturday after a breakfast session send-off was held for the team at the Gaborone Sun last Friday.  Serufho has said that they will assess conditions at the athletes village before making a decision whether to allow their athletes to remain there. The games have already been hit by the withdrawal of top athletes who include 100metres world record holder, Usain Bolt. Most athletes cited fatigue and safety concerns as reasons for their withdrawal. (AP/Staff Writer)

Botswana Commonwealth Games team: Athletics- Kgalalelo Sefo, Amantle Montsho, Oarabile Babolai, Lydia Mashila, Goitseone Seleka, Irene Motunge, Obakeng Ngwigwa, Kabelo Kgosiemang, Isaac Makwala, Sakarea Kamberuka, Tiroyaone Masake, Gakologelwang Masheto,

Manager- Botlhale Paphane Coach- Zambia ChampiTechnical Manager- Bobby GaseitsiweHead Coach- Isaac Mbise

Bowls- Lebogang Mascarenhas, Ivy Morton, Tirelo Buckley, Tibone Fox, Violet Wheatley (team manager), Obopile Mosimanyana, Jane Mitchell (coach), Nelly Senna, Phemelo Kebapetse, Clifton Richardson (coach), John Gaborutwe (team manager), Oabona Motladiile, Raymond Mascarenhas, Kitso Robert, Boitumelo Mosinyi, Gabatladiwe Motshidisi,

Boxing- Bathusi Mogajane, Oteng Oteng, Gomotsang Gaasite, Mmoloki Nogeng, Tirafalo Seoko, Moabi Mothiba, Orapeleng Mosalakgotla (coach), Johannes Ditlhabang (coach), Marx Nthusang (team manager)

Squash- Lekgotla Paul Mosope, Lefika Ragontse, Margo Schickerling (coach)

Team  management- Tuelo Serufho (Chef  de  Mission), Game Mothibi (team manager), Tebogo Mokgwane(doctor) .