Police Scotland has confirmed the disappearance of several athletes following the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. According to reports, four athletes from the Ugandan boxing team and a Pakistani boxer named Qudratullah have gone missing.
Pakistani Boxer Qudrat Ullah and Other Athletes Reported Missing After Glasgow Commonwealth Games
A surprising situation has emerged following the conclusion of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. After the event ended, some athletes from various countries did not return with their teams. Police Scotland have confirmed receiving reports of several athletes going missing, and an investigation is underway. Coordination with the UK Home Office is also being maintained at this initial stage.
Four Boxing Team Members Go Missing
According to the Ugandan sports website NBS Sport, four members of the country's boxing team have gone missing in Scotland. Reports indicate that these four athletes were not present with the team on August 4, the day the Ugandan squad was scheduled to return home. Meanwhile, news has also emerged of a Pakistani boxer going missing.
According to Pakistani media reports, boxer Qudratullah suddenly disappeared from the team hotel following his bout. What is most surprising is that he managed to slip away from the team despite the team manager holding his passport.
In fact, this is not a new controversy for the Pakistan Boxing Federation. Previously, during the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Pakistani boxers Suleman Baloch and Nazirullah Khan also went missing after separating from the team, even though officials held their passports. Furthermore, during the 2024 World Olympic Qualifiers, Asian gold medalist boxer Zoheb Rasheed was accused of stealing his roommate's foreign currency and valuables before disappearing.
A spokesperson for the Scottish police stated that they have received reports regarding the disappearance of several athletes. An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances, and initial coordination with the Home Office is being established.
3,000 Athletes Participated in the CWG
Commonwealth Games Chief Executive Officer Phil Batty stated that approximately 3,000 athletes from 74 countries participated in the games. He noted that the organizing committee collaborated with Police Scotland, Border Force, and UK Visas and Immigration to ensure the safe arrival and departure of the athletes.
It is worth noting that incidents of athletes going missing after the Commonwealth Games are not new. Previously, following the games held in Glasgow in 2014 and Australia's Gold Coast in 2018, several athletes attempted to seek asylum or break away from their teams.
