Pakistan Boxer Qudratullah and 4 Uganda Boxing Team Members Reportedly Go Missing After CWG 2026

Glasgow, Scotland has been thrust into the spotlight for reasons beyond sporting glory, as Pakistani boxer Qudratullah and four Ugandan boxing team members have reportedly vanished after the conclusion of the Commonwealth Games 2026. The disappearances, confirmed on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, have initiated investigations by Police Scotland and involved UK immigration authorities, casting a shadow over the recently concluded multi-sport event.  Where to Watch World Athletics U20 Championships 2026 Live Streaming Online in India.

The XXIII Commonwealth Games, hosted in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2, 2026, saw athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations compete across 10 sports. However, the festive atmosphere has been marred by these concerning reports, which emerged as teams prepared for their departure.

Details of Disappearance

Pakistani boxer Qudratullah, who competed in the men's 60kg category, was reportedly last seen in his hotel room around 2 am on Tuesday, August 4, just hours before the national contingent was scheduled to depart for home at 9 am. Sources within the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) confirmed his disappearance, noting that the boxer's passport and return ticket remained in the custody of the team manager. Qudratullah had won his round of 32 bout against Fiji's Jone Davule before losing to Northern Ireland's Jude Gallagher in a split decision.

Separately, four Ugandan boxers – team captain Nuhu Batte, Ibrahim Khemis, Angel Katushabe, and Emily Nakalema – also failed to join their teammates for their scheduled return flight to East Africa on Tuesday, August 4. Uganda had sent a six-member boxing team to the Games.

Police Scotland has confirmed receiving reports of several athletes being unaccounted for, and inquiries are ongoing to assess the circumstances.

Seeking Asylum Reports

Adding a potential motive to the disappearances, an anonymous source claiming to be one of the missing Ugandan boxers reportedly told African website NBS Sport that the athletes intend to seek asylum. Their alleged aim is to pursue their boxing careers in Scotland, citing a belief that the country offers better training facilities and opportunities. These claims, however, remain unverified by Ugandan authorities. 'Missing Northeast' Lovlina Borgohain Objects to Incorrect India Map at Glasgow Restaurant (Watch Video).

A Recurring Pattern

These incidents are not isolated, as both Pakistan and Uganda have a history of athletes going missing from major international competitions. During the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Pakistani boxers Suleman Baloch and Nazeerullah Khan were reported missing.

Uganda has also faced similar challenges. Several Ugandan athletes failed to return home after the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia. Furthermore, two Ugandan rugby sevens players, Benon Kizza and Philip Pariyo, went missing after the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and later successfully claimed asylum in Cardiff, Wales, subsequently joining a local rugby team. The repeated occurrences highlight ongoing concerns regarding athlete welfare and the complex socio-economic factors that may influence such decisions by competitors from developing nations.

Authorities are continuing their efforts to locate the missing boxers, with official statements from the respective national sports bodies still awaited regarding their whereabouts and intentions. The incidents underscore the broader challenges faced by event organisers and national federations in managing athlete delegations at international sporting spectacles.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 05, 2026 02:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).