Cameroon Athletes Disappear At Common Wealth Games, Australia 2018

The uneasy state of Cameroon sports institutions and limping care awarded to athletes has always been the cry of most sports actors. It is therefore not uncommon to get news of athletes disappearing whenever they get to participate in international competions. To some of them, it is an opportunity to “fall bush”. This may sound laughable but sure it is something to cry about. It is something to be taken serious. We must ask ourselves what isn’t really working. Also, we must ask these pertinent questions if we want to avoid these pitiable disgrace in the future.

Olivier Heracles Matam Matam of Cameroon, here competing on April 5

In this year’s Commonwealth games in Australia, it is reported that a third of Cameroon's athletes participating in the games have gone missing.  The team press authorities said in a statement early this week. Out of the of 24 members making up the Cameroonian delegation, five boxers and three weightlifters have disappeared over the space of three days. It is reported that these athletes left in waves, with three going missing on the night of April 8 and another two vanishing on April 9 before the remaining group left at night on April 10. Two of the eight left without even attempting to try their luck at competing.

Cameroon's Simplice Fotsala (left) on April 6 receiving a a good spanking

The delegation’s attache Simon Molombe confidently said he did not expect them to return. "I don't think they will be back…" Cameroon's Molombe told CNN Sport, confirming their disappearance had been reported to Australian police. I guess Mr. Molombe is well confident about his statement for he sure knows why such an attitude will even cross the minds of these athletes. The press release from the delegation revealed that among those confirmed to have wantonly “fallen bush” at the expense of the Cameroon Sports name are:

·  1) Weight lifter Arcangeline Fouodji Sonkbou

·  2) Boxer Arsene FokouBoxer Christelle Ndiang

·  3) Boxer Christian Ndzie Tchoyi

·  4) Weight lifter Olivier Hercales Matam Matam

·  5) Weight lifter Petit David Minkoumba

·  6) Boxer Simplice Fotsala

·  7) Boxer Ulrich Yombo

Simon Lyonga Molombe’s statement went further to intimate that: "Most of them departed in the night when everyone was sleeping. Nobody knows the direction they have gone,"  it is to be noted that, the athletes' visa requirements expire on May 15, 2018 allowing them to spend another month legally in Australia.

Simon Lyonga Molombe

David Grevemberg, Commonwealth Games Federation CEO, said the situation remained an issue for the Cameroon team until the athletes breached their visas. To this regard, Simon Lyonga Molombe regretted that: "It is obviously disappointing that some of the athletes who have come didn't compete when scheduled to compete…" He continued that: "I think it is also important to remember that these athletes are guests here in Australia and are still within their visas and have the right to travel freely."

It should be noted that during the London 2012 Olympics, seven Cameroonian athletes disappeared. This of course is not the only time Cameroon athletes have disappeared during international competitions. I guess Cameroon has written its name within this unfortunate sportsmen “bushfalling syndrome” which seems to be the dream of most of them. In fact, what do we even expect from them when they have no resources to carry out their sport, no or insufficient allowances which are not paid on time, no infrastructure and what have you. Tsssuuuuiiippppp!!!

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