5 Indian trainees 'disappear'

BANGALORE, APRIL 19. Five Indian players from a Mangalore-based cricket academy have reportedly `disappeared' after they landed in Adelaide, Australia. The players-Faizi, Sebi, Biju M.A., Joephi K.V. and Thomas-have been missing since March 25, the day they landed in Adelaide. The players were sent to Australia under the aegis of the Karavali Cricket Clinic, an academy based in Mangalore.

These five went to Australia for a two-week coaching stint with the Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy based in Adelaide. They boarded the Singapore Airlines flight from Mumbai on March 24. However, on March 25 when Wayne Phillips of the Commonwealth Cricket Academy, went to receive them at the Adelaide airport, they had `disappeared'.

``We have no information about their whereabouts. But we know for sure that they landed in Adelaide,'' Mr P.V. Mohan, the convenor of the Karavali Cricket Clinic, told The Hindu over phone from Mangalore.

``I met them in a camp in Kochi in February this year. They are from Thrissur. They were keen to go to the Commonwealth Cricket Academy in Adelaide. I told them that the cost would be prohibitive, but they were still keen. I informed Mr. Wayne Phillips of the Commonwealth Cricket Academy and he slashed the rates from $1500 per week to $1000. I saw them last when they boarded the flight from Mumbai on March 24, Mr. Mohan added.

The players are in the 22 to 26 years age-group.

``Some of them are working. I contacted their parents immediately after I heard the news. Surprisingly none of them got back to me. They are carrying $3,000 each. I am worried for their safety and I am not sure about suspecting their motives. Apparently the airport authorities informed Wayne Phillips of their arrival and when he went there after 10 minutes, they were not to be found,'' Mr. Mohan said.

Meanwhile, Wayne Phillips has lodged a complaint with the Australian Department of Immigration and Foreign Affairs.

``I spoke to Mr. Phillips. I have also contacted the Indian Consulate in Australia besides the KSCA officials. So far none of us has got any information pertaining to the boys,'' Mr. Mohan said. ``I have been organising overseas tours for the last seven years and this is the first time we have had a complaint.

``I went to Kochi to finalise a cricket tour to Sri Lanka as touring Australia is now expensive, but these boys insisted on going to Australia despite the heavy cost,'' he said.

The KSCA officials were not available for comment.

- Our Sports Reporter

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