Cameroon made history at the 2023 Women’s World Championship this week, reaching the main round for the first time, thanks to a 26:23 victory over Paraguay on Monday. However, they have achieved this success with a 14-woman squad, an unusual sight at this level in this day and age. The depleted squad is not due to a lack of handball athletes in Cameroon but rather players disappearing from the squad.

Cameroonian sports journalist Leocadia Bongben spoke to us about the conditions for these players, why some of them make this life-changing decision and what could be done to help them.

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