THE Ugandan sports association has requested the Australian government deport two Ugandan cricketers who they say have deserted the team in Australia.
The association has condemned the cricketers who disappeared from camp after Uganda won an international tournament in Darwin, saying their action put Uganda in a bad light.
The chairman of the Ugandan sports association, Thomas Lwiga, said although their visas are valid until August 24, the way they left the team indicates they want to remain in Australia.
“What they did is shameful,” Mr Lwiga said.
“They disappeared from their colleagues without informing them where they were going.
“They have not communicated with Uganda Cricket Association officials or government officials.
"All that shows they intend to stay in Australia. They should be deported back.”
Melbourne newspaper The Age reported on Thursday that cricketers Patrick Ochan and Jimmy Okello were found in Adelaide, thousands of kilometres south of Darwin, where the World Cricket League division three final was held.
The chairman of the Ugandan Cricket Association, William Kibuuka Musoke, said cricket`s world body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), should take action if the duo fail to return when their visas expire.
The Ugandan team returned on June 5 without Ochan, 18 and Okello, 19, who come from the same village in Uganda`s north.
Ochan excelled in the June 2 final for the Ugandans, who defeated Argentina by 91 runs.
