Cameroon footballer donates Sh1.6 million to students stranded in coronavirus-hit China

Cameroon’s indomitable lion’s striker Christian Bassogog has donated Sh1.6 million (10 million CFA francs) to Cameroonian living in areas struck by the deadly coronavirus in China.

According to the Cameroonian press, Christian Bassogog donated 10 million CFA francs to his compatriots, the majority of whom are students stranded in the city of Wuhan which has been under quarantine since 23 January.

"China holds a special place in my heart and this is where I exercise my profession," said Bassogog after meeting the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cameroon. 

“This money is intended to help Cameroonian nationals living in China, in particular students. It is important that we meet in such times and show such support and love to the needy.

“We want more Cameroonians around the world to reach out and support not only their compatriots but also China as a nation, "he added.

The 24-year-old footballer, who plays club football with the Chinese Super League Henan Jianye, is currently in Yaoundé following the suspension of the championship in China because of the virus.

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His donation comes after President Paul Biya also ordered that $82,000 (Sh47,970,000) be made available to the country's embassy in Beijing to provide assistance to Cameroonians living in the affected areas.

According to Journal du Cameroun, Cameroon's embassy in China said there were close to 300 Cameroonians, mainly students, living in Hubei Province, considered the epicentre of the Coronavirus epidemic.

Kenyans students stranded in China

Despite the families of students stranded in China pleading with the State to bring back their children, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo on Thursday ruled out the possibility of evacuating at least 100 Kenyans in Wuhan, 91 of them who are students and two expectant.

The CS said the government disbursed Sh8.5 million to support the students through basic needs supplies.

None of the students is infected with the deadly virus.

Meanwhile, the number of confirmed cases in China grew to 78,824 as of Friday morning, an increase of 327 from the previous day.

Forty-four people died of the virus on Thursday, bringing the total in mainland China to 2,788.

Coronavirus has now killed more than 2,800 people and infected about 83,000 worldwide.

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