BY Victor Akhidenor
The fear of Ebola is the beginning of wisdom for many members of Sierra Leone’s Commonwealth Games team.
With the outbreak of the killer virus, many of them do not want to return to their country.
According to Unisa Deen Kargbo, the team’s chef de mission, the delegation is worried about the situation at home, where a public health emergency has been declared.
On Friday, it emerged that Sierra Leone cyclist, 32-year-old Moses Sesay, was admitted to a Glasgow hospital last week after falling ill and doctors tested him for various conditions, including suspected Ebola.
But Sesay was given the all-clear and released from hospital in time to compete in the men’s individual time trial at the Games. It was not a surprise he had a woeful outing, placing last in the 56-man race.
Kargbo expressed the concerns in Sierra Leone’s camp.
“Many people are thinking whether or not to go home now. Everybody is worried and many of them don’t want to go home now because of the Ebola,” he told The Times.
“We have held several meetings with them, but they are still worried. This virus is spreading around our country and everyone is at risk of catching it. The problem is, if they want to stay on after the Commonwealth Games end, who will take care of them?
“They will have no accommodation, no work. How do they meet their needs? How will they get themselves employed?”
He said the athletes will be forced to return to Sierra Leone if these issues are not addressed.
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