A number of athletes have been untraceable after participating in the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow without joining the other athletes in going back home.
Police Scotland has stated that they had information on a number of athletes who were “unaccounted for” following the conclusion of the Commonwealth Games held in the city of Glasgow last Sunday.
According to NBS Sport, a total of four boxers belonging to Uganda were missing during the time of flight for the country. It is also claimed that according to a source from within the team one of them had told them that they wanted to claim asylum in Scotland.
It was also claimed by the Pakistan Today, external that the boxer Qudratullah was missing from the flight to Pakistan.
After other Commonwealth Games, such as the one that was held in Glasgow in 2014, many athletes disappeared after the event, with some of them seeking asylum while others completely vanished.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police Scotland has received reports of several athletes who are unaccounted for.
“Inquiries are ongoing to assess the circumstances, and early engagement is taking place with the Home Office.”
Four boxers who disappeared in Uganda have been identified in the local media as Nuhu Batte, Angel Katushabe, Ibrahim Kemis, and Emily Nakalema.
According to NBS Sports, the company managed to contact one of the four missing boxers, who reported that the boxers were planning to flee to another country in order to pursue a career in boxing under improved conditions.
The boxer asked the Ugandan people to understand their choice and not to judge them.
The spokesman for Team Uganda participating in the Games told the BBC Scotland News that there was nothing to say on the matter.
All other members of the Uganda team have left for their country.
The athletes were supposed to leave the Games following the length of stay policy of Glasgow 2026, according to which the Games accommodation was over two days after the conclusion of their respective sports.
According to Sophie Ashcroft, spokesperson for Glasgow 2026, “Over the last two weeks, we have welcomed 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories of the Commonwealth to Glasgow.
