Four Ugandan boxers have reportedly gone missing after competing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, prompting Scottish police and immigration authorities to launch an investigation into their whereabouts.
The development was reported by Ugandan sports outlet, NBS Sport, which disclosed that the athletes failed to rejoin the Ugandan delegation ahead of the team’s scheduled departure from Scotland on Tuesday.
The missing athletes were identified as Angel Katushabe, Nuhu Batte, Ibrahim Khemis and Emily Nakalema, all members of Uganda’s six-person boxing contingent at the Games.
According to NBS Sport, one of the missing athletes, who spoke anonymously, said the group intentionally stayed behind and planned to seek asylum in the United Kingdom.
The athlete said the group decided to remain in the UK in search of better training facilities and career opportunities.
“We want to continue our boxing careers in a place where there are better opportunities,” the athlete reportedly said, while appealing to Ugandans not to judge their decision.
Confirming the development, Police Scotland said it had received reports that several athletes were unaccounted for and that investigations were underway.
“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,” a police spokesperson said.
Commonwealth Games Chief Executive Phil Batty said organisers had worked closely with security and immigration authorities to ensure athletes complied with entry and exit regulations throughout the competition.
“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 regulations,” Batty told the Press Association.
The Press Association also reported that the UK Home Office would take appropriate action if any breach of immigration laws is established, while continuing efforts to prevent abuse of the country’s immigration system.
Commonwealth Games Scandal: Four Ugandan boxers go missing, admit asylum plan