Gold Coast: 8 Cameroonian athletes disappear from Commonwealth Games

Just like the 2012 Olympics, Cameroonian athletes disappear again at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Authorities are on the hunt for eight Cameroonian athletes who disappeared from the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

Cameroon came with 24 athletes to represent the country at the games, but some of the athletes had other ideas as they cannot be found after they disappeared from the Commonwealth Games Village.

A total of eight of the 24 athletes have been confirmed to have disappeared following their arrival at the games.

Chef de Mission of Cameroon Victor Agbor Nso stated that the athletes did not all disappear at once, as they left in separate batches.

Agbor Nso confirmed the unavailability of the athletes when he stated that he was "sad to announce" that the athletes were nowhere no to be found.

He also confirmed that that eight athletes left in "three waves",  three left on Sunday, April 8, two on Monday and Tuesday, April 8&9.

Of the eight athletes who have absconded three are weightlifters while five are boxers, six of them have already competed but two haven't.

The missing athletes are : Simplice Fotsala - Boxer 46-29kg, Arsene Fokou Fosso - Boxer +91kg, Christian Ndzie Tsoye - Boxer 91kg, Ulrich Rodrigue Yombo - Boxer 81kg, Christelle Aurore Ndiang - Boxer 57kg, Olivier Heracies Matam Matam - Weightlifter 62kg, Petit David Minkoumba - Weightlifter 94kg, Arcangeline Sonkbou Fouodji - Weightlifter 69kg.

Simon Molombe who is a member of the Cameroon press crew stated that the athletes have disgraced the nation.

He said, "When we got up in the morning, they were not there. It’s very, very disappointing and very, very embarrassing for Cameroon."

"Our highest hope is that they should return and go back home to Cameroon. But I think it will be difficult. If they wanted to return, they would not have left.”

Speaking about the actions of the Cameroon athletes who disappeared Peter Beattie who is the Games organising committee chairman stated that the athletes are yet to break any rules as they are yet to overstay their visa which is to expire in May.

He said, "It happens at every games and it's not a surprise ... if there is a breach (of visa) Peter Dutton and his team will deal with it,"

"In terms of the athletes, I just simply say enjoy Australia while you’re here, stay within the law and be mindful of the fact that there is a system in place in this country."

 

Despite their disappearance, Beattie stated that the athletes should abide bide the laws of Austrailia.

He said, "We would appreciate them sticking within the law, enjoying themselves but sticking within the law. If they are thinking of doing anything other than that, I would encourage them not to do it."

It is not the first time Cameroonian athletes will abscond the games village at a major sporting event.

At the 2012 Olympics in Beijing, five male Cameroonian boxers and a female footballer also disappeared.

The 2018 Commonwealth Games commenced on Wednesday, April 4 and is scheduled to end on Sunday, April 15.