The Police in Scotland have launched an investigation after athletes were reported missing following the conclusion of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with reports indicating that at least five boxers from Uganda and Pakistan failed to return home with their national delegations.

The multi-sport event, which attracted more than 3,000 athletes from across the Commonwealth, ended on Sunday August 2, 2026, but attention has now shifted from sporting achievements to concerns over the whereabouts of several competitors.

Police authorities confirmed that inquiries are ongoing, although they have yet to disclose the exact number of athletes who remain unaccounted for.

*Uganda boxers fail to return

The majority of the reported cases involve Uganda’s boxing team, where four of the country’s six boxers reportedly did not travel home with the rest of the delegation.

The missing athletes have been identified in Ugandan media reports as Nuhu Batte, Angel Katushabe, Ibrahim Khemis and Emily Nakalema.

According to reports, the remainder of Team Uganda departed Glasgow on Tuesday without the four athletes.

Although Ugandan officials have not publicly commented on the circumstances surrounding their disappearance, local media quoted one of the athletes as saying the group intended to seek asylum in Scotland.

The boxer reportedly said the decision was motivated by the desire to access improved training facilities and better opportunities to develop their careers.

A spokesperson for Team Uganda declined to comment on the reports.

*Pakistani boxer also missing

Police investigations have also focused on the disappearance of Pakistani boxer Qudrat Ullah.

Media reports in Pakistan indicated that the athlete was last seen in his hotel room approximately six hours before the team was due to depart Glasgow.

Officials reportedly discovered he was missing when teammates assembled for their return journey.

Interestingly, team officials were said to have retained both his passport and return airline ticket at the time of his disappearance.

His whereabouts remain unknown.

*Police begin investigation

Confirming the development, Police Scotland said it had received reports concerning several athletes who were unaccounted for and had commenced investigations into the matter.

The police also confirmed that they had begun working with the United Kingdom Home Office as part of efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the disappearances.

Authorities, however, declined to provide further details while investigations continue.

*Games organisers stress security measures

Organisers of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games said they had worked closely with security agencies throughout the competition to ensure athletes complied with immigration and travel regulations.

Glasgow 2026 Chief Executive Phil Batty said the organising committee collaborated with Police Scotland, Border Force and UK Visas and Immigration before, during and after the Games to facilitate the lawful arrival and departure of all accredited participants.

Athletes were expected to leave the Games Village within the period specified under the event’s accommodation policy, which allowed competitors to remain for two nights after completing their respective events.

Officials said enhanced immigration monitoring had also been implemented because of the scale of the international sporting event.

*Asylum claims handled individually

United Kingdom authorities have maintained that asylum applications are assessed individually and in accordance with domestic and international legal obligations.

The Home Office generally does not comment publicly on individual asylum cases but is empowered to investigate possible breaches of immigration regulations where necessary.

It remains unclear whether any formal asylum applications have been submitted by the missing athletes.

*Similar incidents recorded previously

The latest development is not the first time athletes have gone missing after a major international sporting event.

Following the 2018 Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast, authorities reportedly continued searching for dozens of athletes and officials weeks after the competition ended, while many others sought asylum.

A similar situation also occurred after the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow when two Ugandan rugby sevens players failed to return home with their delegation.

Another notable case involved Cameroonian weightlifter Cyrille Tchatchet II, who disappeared during the 2014 Games after seeking refuge in the United Kingdom.

Tchatchet later rebuilt his career and returned to international competition, winning a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games 12 years later.

*Investigations continue

Police Scotland said investigations remain ongoing to determine the whereabouts of the missing athletes and establish the circumstances surrounding their disappearance.

The incident has cast a shadow over what had been widely regarded as a successful edition of the Commonwealth Games, with authorities expected to continue working alongside immigration officials and the affected national federations as efforts intensify to resolve the matter. (Blueprint)