Several athletes 'go missing' after Commonwealth Games in Glasgow
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Police Scotland is investigating reports that five athletes, primarily boxers from Uganda and Pakistan, have gone missing after the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
- Four Ugandan boxers โ Nuhu Batte, Angel Katushabe, Ibrahim Khemis, and Emily Nakalema โ reportedly failed to return with their delegation.
- One of the missing Ugandan boxers indicated the group intended to seek asylum in Scotland, citing opportunities for better training and career advancement.
Police Scotland is actively investigating reports that several athletes have disappeared following the conclusion of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Media outlets in Uganda and Pakistan have reported that five athletes, predominantly boxers, failed to return home with their respective delegations.
The primary focus of the investigation is on Uganda's boxing team, with four out of its six members reportedly missing. These athletes have been identified as Nuhu Batte, Angel Katushabe, Ibrahim Khemis, and Emily Nakalema. Their delegation returned home without them, prompting the inquiry.
While official intentions remain unconfirmed, one of the four Ugandan boxers reportedly told a Ugandan outlet that the group plans to seek asylum in Scotland. The athlete expressed a belief that Scotland offers superior training facilities and greater opportunities for their boxing careers. They appealed for understanding and asked not to be judged for their decision.
The cases also include Qudrat Ullah, a member of Pakistan's boxing team, whose absence was reported by media in his home country. According to Geo News, Ullah was last seen in his room hours before he was scheduled to depart with his teammates. His passport and return ticket were reportedly with the team manager when officials discovered he was missing.
In response to these reports, Police Scotland confirmed that inquiries are underway and that they have initiated contact with the Home Office. A spokesperson stated that the force is assessing the circumstances surrounding the athletes' absences. Organizers confirmed close collaboration with Police Scotland, Border Force, and UK Visas and Immigration throughout the Games to ensure compliance with regulations.
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.
Originally published by Ghanaian Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.