UPDATE

Cameroonian officials have confirmed eight of their 24 athletes are missing from the Commonwealth Games.

Five boxers and three weightlifters have now left the training camps and games village.

Macquarie Media’s Commonwealth Games Reporter Natalie Peters says a third of Cameroon’s team have deserted the village.

Other members of the delegation have been sent home in an attempt to ensure they don’t flee.

The athletes’ visas are valid until May 15, so as it stands, they are free to travel however and wherever they like.

Once that date ticks over, it become an issue for the Department of Home Affairs.

Cameroon team officials have notified Australia Federal Police of the situation.

Statement from the 2018 Cameroon Commonwealth Team

 
Well, it’s begun… athletes from poorer nations have started to disappear from the Commonwealth Games.

At least six Cameroonian athletes have failed to show up at their events.

Weightlifter Olivier Matam, and boxers Ndzie Tchoyi and Simplice Fotsala had been due to compete on Tuesday but couldn’t be found.

The team manager says two other weightlifters, Aka Angeline Filji and Mikoumba Petit David, went missing earlier in the Games, but refused to say when.

Australian police have been informed as have the Cameroon government.

It’s not the first time Cameroonian athletes have disappeared from a major sporting event.

In 2012, five male boxers, a female footballer and a male swimmer went missing in London.