Nigerian coach and two athletes disappear after Commonwealth Games in Australia

The President of Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Mohammed Yahaya has described as ‘big embarrassment’ the alleged disappearance of its head coach in the Gold Coast, Australia, venue of the just concluded 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Team Nigeria return form 2018 Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast. (Albert Otu/BJO/NAN)

According to Guardian, the coach (names withheld) was said to have followed the way of some Africans, especially athletes from Cameroun, who chose to escape in Australia even before the end of the Games.
It was also learnt, yesterday, that two other Nigerians, a coach in the special sports and a 200m runner also disappeared in Australia.
A furious Yahaya told Guardian in a telephone chat yesterday that he didn’t expect the head coach of a national team to ‘escape’ at a competition venue.

“This is very embarrassing to us because as a head coach, I expected him to act like father to the athletes. But our head coach disappeared into the thin air even before the Games were concluded.”

Team Nigeria finished ninth overall in the medal rankings with a total 24 medals which included nine gold, nine silver, and six bronze medals.

Nigeria’s medal haul at the 2018 Commonwealth Games did not match up to the total of 26 medals won at the 2014 edition which included 11 Gold medals, 11 Silver Medals, and 14 bronze medals.
On return, several athletes have requested that they want to see President Muhammadu Buhari on their return.

Team Nigeria medal winners are expected to be financially rewarded by the federal government upon their rival.