Ugandan boxers disappear
Four boxers from the Ugandan Commonwealth Games team have reportedly disappeared following the conclusion of the Games in Glasgow. The team manager, Godwin Kayangwe, stated he has no information regarding their whereabouts or reasons for their disappearance. The missing athletes include Ibrahim Kemis, Nuhu Batte, Emily Nakalema, and Angel Katushabe. They were scheduled to return to Uganda on Tuesday.
Media reports in Uganda suggested that the four might be seeking asylum. However, Kayangwe expressed his hope that the athletes would return home before their visas expire in October. He mentioned that he had no idea why they would choose to disappear but suspects they are still in Glasgow or somewhere in Europe.
Kayangwe recounted that the boxers had communicated with their team manager, indicating they would return, but their phones subsequently went off. He emphasised that this action violated camp rules, as no athlete is permitted to leave without permission. Despite the situation, he remains hopeful they will return to Uganda, noting their visas are valid until October.
When asked about the possibility of the athletes seeking asylum, Kayangwe stated he had “absolutely no idea” why they would do so, adding that he did not believe it was related to political or gender issues. One of the missing boxers reportedly told a sports media site that the group intended to seek asylum to pursue their boxing careers in a country offering better training facilities and opportunities than their homeland. This boxer also appealed to Ugandans for understanding and requested not to be judged for their decision.
The matter has been referred to the Ugandan High Commission, which will coordinate with authorities in Scotland. Kayangwe’s message to the missing athletes is to observe the law and ensure their visas do not expire while they are in Europe. He urged them to return to Uganda, suggesting they could come back to Europe whenever they wished. He hopes they make the “right decision” and return.
Pakistani boxer also missing
In a separate incident, Pakistani boxer Qudratullah has also reportedly gone missing in Glasgow. This occurred just hours before the Pakistan Commonwealth Games contingent was scheduled to depart for home. Sources within the Pakistan Boxing Federation indicated that Qudratullah was last seen in his hotel room around 2 am. Officials later checked his room and found he was no longer there.
The Pakistani team was due to assemble in the hotel lobby at 9 am for their return flight. However, Qudratullah could not be located when officials searched his room. His passport and return ticket are reportedly still in the possession of the team manager. This is not the first instance of a Pakistani boxer going missing abroad; another boxer, Zohaib, reportedly disappeared during an international tour in Italy last year.
The 21-member Pakistani contingent concluded the 2026 Commonwealth Games with only one medal. Boxer Fatima Zahra secured a bronze in the women’s 60kg category, marking Pakistan’s sole podium finish at the Games. This result represents Pakistan’s lowest medal tally since the 1998 Commonwealth Games, when the country won one silver medal. Pakistan had also returned without a medal from the 1990 edition, making the Glasgow Games its poorest CWG campaign in 36 years.
Fatima Zahra made history as the first Pakistani female boxer to win a Commonwealth Games medal and was chosen to carry the national flag at the closing ceremony. Pakistan’s primary medal hope, Olympic javelin champion Arshad Nadeem, who served as the country’s flagbearer at the opening ceremony, did not finish on the podium.
Police investigation and past incidents
Police Scotland has confirmed receiving reports of several athletes who are “unaccounted for” after the Games concluded on Sunday. Investigations are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding these disappearances, with close collaboration between Police Scotland and the UK Home Office. A spokesperson stated that early engagement is taking place with the Home Office.
Reports of athletes going missing after the Commonwealth Games are not new. Similar incidents have occurred after previous editions, particularly those hosted in the United Kingdom and Australia. For example, following the 2018 Gold Coast Games, Australian authorities were searching for approximately 50 athletes and officials who had not left the country a month after the event, and nearly 190 others had reportedly applied for asylum.
Glasgow 2026 organisers stated they are working with relevant authorities as athletes and officials depart the city. A spokesperson for Glasgow 2026 mentioned that over the past two weeks, they welcomed 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories. They continue to work closely with partners, including Police Scotland, Border Force, and UK Visas & Immigration, to ensure a safe and secure conclusion to the Games.
The latest episode involving Qudratullah is particularly notable because his passport was reportedly with the team manager, a detail that has baffled officials. During the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Pakistani boxers Suleman Baloch and Nazeerullah Khan also disappeared despite reports that their passports were held by the contingent management. More than 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories competed at the Glasgow Games, which concluded on Sunday after 11 days of competition.
Source: bbc.com
