By Paul Joseph
Police Scotland has launched an investigation after several athletes, including five boxers from Uganda and Pakistan, were reported missing following the conclusion of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Authorities confirmed they had received reports of “several athletes who are unaccounted for” and are working with the UK Home Office to establish the circumstances surrounding their disappearance.
The investigation is centred on Uganda’s boxing team, where four of the six athletes reportedly failed to return home with the rest of the country’s delegation on Tuesday. Ugandan media identified the missing boxers as Nuhu Batte, Angel Katushabe, Ibrahim Khemis and Emily Nakalema.
Although officials have not confirmed their whereabouts, one of the athletes reportedly told Ugandan outlet NBS Sports that the group intended to seek asylum in Scotland and continue their boxing careers there, citing hopes for better training facilities and greater opportunities.
The athlete appealed for understanding over the decision, while a spokesperson for Team Uganda declined to comment on the reports.
Police are also investigating the disappearance of Pakistan boxer Qudrat Ullah, who was reported missing shortly before his team’s scheduled departure. According to Pakistani media, he was last seen in his hotel room about six hours before the team was due to leave for the airport. His passport and return ticket were reportedly still with the team manager.
Confirming the investigation, Police Scotland said it was working closely with the Home Office.
“Police Scotland has received reports of several athletes who are unaccounted for. Enquiries are ongoing to assess the circumstances, and early engagement is taking place with the Home Office,” a police spokesperson said.
Glasgow 2026 organisers said they worked closely with Police Scotland, Border Force and UK Visas and Immigration throughout the Games to ensure all participants complied with entry and departure regulations.
Chief Executive of Glasgow 2026, Phil Batty, said the collaboration was aimed at delivering a safe and secure event, with athletes expected to leave the Games Village in line with the official length-of-stay policy.
The UK Home Office is understood to conduct enhanced immigration checks during major international sporting events and considers asylum applications on a case-by-case basis, in line with UK law and international obligations.
The incident is not unprecedented. Following the 2018 Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast, dozens of athletes and officials failed to return home, with many later seeking asylum. A similar case occurred after the 2014 Glasgow Games when two Ugandan rugby players and Cameroonian weightlifter Cyrille Tchatchet II remained in the UK, with Tchatchet later returning to the Commonwealth Games to win a silver medal.
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