Athletes go 'missing' after Commonwealth Games ends

Following the conclusion of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, reports emerged that several athletes had gone missing and were unaccounted for. Police Scotland confirmed receiving multiple reports of athletes absent from their teams, with four members of the Ugandan boxing squad specifically not turning up to fly home. One of the boxers, Qudrat Ullah, was reportedly not found in his room when officials searched for him.

Pakistan Today also reported that Qudrat Ullah had not joined his team in returning to Pakistan. Similar incidents have occurred in previous Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow, including the 2014 edition, where athletes either sought asylum or vanished entirely. Police Scotland is conducting inquiries to assess the circumstances surrounding the missing athletes, with early engagement already taking place with the Home Office.

The four missing Ugandan boxers were identified as Nuhu Batte, Angel Katushabe, Ibrahim Kemis, and Emily Nakalema. One of the boxers claimed the athletes intended to seek asylum in Scotland for better training facilities and opportunities. The team's spokesperson stated that the team had no comment. The remainder of the Uganda squad departed for home after the Games concluded.

Organizers of the Glasgow 2026 Games emphasized the streamlined format that saved costs and reinvented the competition, which featured 10 sports across four locations in Glasgow.