Several athletes who competed at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games are unaccounted for, with Police Scotland confirming inquiries are under way following reports they did not leave the UK with their teams.
Ugandan and Pakistani boxers reported missing
Ugandan sports outlet NBS Sport has reported that four members of Uganda's boxing team failed to rejoin the country's delegation before it was due to fly home on Tuesday following the conclusion of the Games. The four missing boxers were named by local media as Nuhu Batte, Angel Katushabe, Ibrahim Kemis and Emily Nakalema.
Reports in Pakistan also claim boxer Qudratullah was not with the rest of his team-mates flying home to Pakistan after he was not found in his room when officials went to search for him.
Police Scotland and Home Office involvement
Police Scotland said it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the reports and has begun discussions with the Home Office. 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."
The reports emerged as Glasgow 2026 organisers reflected on the successful staging of the Games, which welcomed almost 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories. Speaking to the PA news agency on Monday, Glasgow 2026 chief executive Phil Batty said organisers had worked closely with authorities throughout the event to ensure competitors entered and left the UK in accordance with immigration rules.
He said: "We've welcomed nearly 3,000 athletes to the city from 74 nations. We want to deliver a safe and secure Games, so we work really closely with Police Scotland, the Border Force, and UK Visas and Immigration to make sure everyone arrives and departs in line with regulation."
Home Office action and response
It is understood the Home Office will take action if it becomes aware of any breaches of immigration law and says it takes the necessary steps to prevent those who may seek to abuse the immigration system from entering the UK. The department does not routinely comment on individual asylum cases, with any claims assessed on their own merits in line with the UK's international obligations.
The Ugandan Ministry of Education and Sports has been approached for comment over the reports.
