The Cameroon Commonwealth Games Team will train in Warwick in the lead-up to the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, the council announced this week.
Nearly 80 elite athletes from the African nation and team officials will arrive in Warwick in early March for a two week, pre-games training camp before the games officially kick-off on 4 April.
Bordered by Nigeria to the west and located on Central Africa’s west coast, Cameroon is a country of around 22 million people and while its population is similar to Australia’s, it only has a land size the same as Papua New Guinea.
Southern Downs Mayor Tracy Dobie said the announcement was “fantastic news” for the region.
“We encourage all Southern Downs residents to adopt the Cameroonian athletes and support them in the Commonwealth Games,” the mayor said.
“The Southern Downs is in the swing of the Commonwealth Games already.
“We had the practice run for the Queen’s Baton Relay the Saturday before last, which was wonderful, and now we have the Cameroonians coming.
“Our officers are also working hard to attract some hockey nations for their pre-games training.
“We are looking forward to hosting the team here on the Southern Downs.
“The team’s management has indicated they are keen to engage with the local community, participate in some civic activities and see some kangaroos.”
Local sports clubs and facilities, including Warwick Boxing Club and Warwick Indoor Recreation and Aquatic Centre (WIRAC), will host competitors across a variety of sports including men’s and women’s boxing, basketball, badminton, weightlifting, wrestling and track and field athletes.
The announcement comes almost 18 months after council launched its Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Pre-event Training Destination Proposal, in a bid to increase the profile of the Southern Downs on the international stage.
The council’s Economic Development and Tourism team is now working with Cameroon Team Management to confirm details and finalise dates for the training camp.
