Sports
#GC2018: Authorities disappointed as Cameroonian athletes disappear
Officials of Team Cameroon are said to have been disappointed after eight athletes went missing from their accommodation at the Commonwealth Games in Australia.
According to the BBC, press attache, Simon Molombe reported the “desertion” adding that the missing athletes were last seen at different times on Monday and Tuesday.
The missing athletes as named include: weightlifters Olivier Matam Matam, Arcangeline Fouodji Sonkbou and Petit Minkoumba, and boxers Christian Ndzie Tsoye, Simplice Fotsala, Arsene Fokou, Ulrich Yombo and Christelle Ndiang.
“The authorities are very disappointed with the deserters – some did not even compete,” Molombe said.
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“The pious hope is that they come back to the village and travel home with the others.”
Cameroon said the group had valid Australian visas until 15 May. Meanwhile, the Australian government has warned athletes against overstaying their visas.
The Commonwealth Games Federation said it would monitor the situation but athletes had “the right to travel freely” on their visas.
The Australian Federal Police has been notified of the development, according to Kate Jones, a Queensland state government minister.
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