Sierra Leone Athletes at the Commonwealth games, refuse to return over Ebola scare

Days after Sierra Leonean cyclist Moses Sesay(above) fell ill and was isolated  for four days in the UK  after fears he may have had Ebola,he and his team mates don't want to return to their country because of the fear of contacting Ebola when they get back..  He told Times....

 

I am scared to be going back because it is very difficult, people are frightened of Ebola.‘We are supposed to leave just after the competition but I don’t know. On our passports we have three month visas. All of us are scared of returning. If I have the opportunity I will stay here for a while because of Ebola.’

 Teammate Jimmy Thoronka, 20, a sprinter, said he, too, wanted to extend his visa after learning his uncle had contracted Ebola.

‘My visa is until September but I want to stay longer,’ he said. ‘We are safe here and it’s dangerous there.’

Unisa Deen Kargbo, chef de mission of the country's team, said...

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.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.‘I was at Hampden Park expecting to see the 

boys and girls in the relay. I don’t know where they are. I am going back to the village to find out what has happened.’Athletes have come to me and said they don't want to return because of the Ebola situation.There have been discussions with back home to see what the final decision will be on that. I have a mandate to return the athletes on 5 August and that's what I'm working towards now.'