Missing girl fled airport in shame at poor games result

A TEENAGE athlete from Cameroon failed to board her return flight home because she was worried about her poor performance at the Commonwealth Youth Games, police sources said.

Foumena Marie Gaelle told detectives she fled Manchester Airport after her head coach had told her and another girl that their athletics careers were over.

Both 16-year-olds were said to be anxious about any financial implications from that decision and decided to stay in the UK rather than take their early morning return flight via Brussels last Wednesday.

Foumena handed herself in at a police station in Manchester on Saturday but her team-mate, Balana Marie Michel, remains missing.

The girls had represented their country at the event staged last week in the Isle of Man.

Foumena failed to qualify for the 100 metres semi-finals from her heat and finished eighth out of nine competitors in the long jump, while Balana also went out in the first round of the 100 metres and 200 metres contests.

As the rest of the team boarded the return journey the girls, who only speak French and have no known contacts in Britain, fled from the airport’s Terminal 3.

Foumena walked into Grey Mare Lane Police Station at 10.30am on Saturday and is now being cared for by social services.

A police source said: “Foumena was interviewed at length and she said she had been concerned about her poor performance at the Games. She said that her and Balana were taken to one side by the head coach and were told their careers in athletics were over.

“She said that would have huge financial implications on them to do with their schooling and their families back home. The head coach was said to be very influential and very well connected in Cameroon.

“They were scared but had not thought it through properly when they decided to miss the flight.”

It is believed Balana had a black Puma Rucksack bearing the Cameroon flag, £10 in cash and no bank card. Her passport was retained by the team management.

Detective Constable Andy MacNab, based at Manchester Airport CID, said: “The girls walked off of their own free will but we were extremely concerned for their welfare – and still are concerned about Balana.

“She has little or no money and absolutely no one to turn to in this country.”

Anyone with information should call officers at the airport on 0161 856 0250.