Several Commonwealth Games Athletes Reported Missing After Glasgow Event
Several athletes who competed at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow have reportedly gone missing after failing to return home with their respective teams.
Police Scotland confirmed that it had received reports of athletes being “unaccounted for” following the conclusion of the Games on Sunday, with investigations now underway.
Reports from NBS Sport claimed that four members of Uganda’s boxing team did not board their scheduled flight home. The publication also reported that one of the athletes said they intended to seek asylum in Scotland.
Pakistan Today also reported that Pakistani boxer Qudrat Ullah failed to return home with his teammates and was not found in his room when officials checked for him.
The situation has brought back memories of previous Commonwealth Games, including the 2014 Glasgow edition, where several athletes disappeared after the competition, with some later seeking asylum or remaining abroad.
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 missing Ugandan boxers were identified by local media as Nuhu Batte, Angel Katushabe, Ibrahim Kemis and Emily Nakalema.
NBS Sport reported that one of the athletes said the decision was motivated by hopes of finding better training opportunities and continuing their boxing careers in a country they believed offered greater prospects.
The athlete also appealed for understanding from Ugandans and asked people not to judge their decision.
Team Uganda officials declined to comment, while the rest of the Ugandan delegation has since returned home.
Glasgow 2026 organisers said they had worked with Police Scotland, Border Force and UK Visas & Immigration to ensure a safe conclusion to the Games, which hosted about 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories.
The issue is not new in Commonwealth sports history. During the 2014 Glasgow Games, two Ugandan rugby players disappeared and were later found playing rugby in Cardiff. Another athlete, Cameroonian weightlifter Cyrille Tchatchet II, also remained in the UK after the event and later returned to compete, winning a silver medal at the 2026 Games.
Authorities said any future asylum applications would be assessed individually based on the circumstances and evidence provided.
The Commonwealth Games ended on Sunday after 11 days of competition across various sporting events.
