5 Boxers Disappear After Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as Police Probe Possible Asylum Bids
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 4
5 Boxers Disappear After Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as Police Probe Possible Asylum Bids
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 4
Summary
Five boxers — four from Uganda and one from Pakistan — failed to leave Glasgow with their teams after the Commonwealth Games ended on Sunday, and Police Scotland said several athletes are now unaccounted for.
Ugandan outlet NBS Sport said one missing boxer told it the four planned to seek asylum in Scotland and continue careers where they saw better training and opportunities; Pakistan Today reported boxer Qudratullah also vanished before departure.
3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories attended the Games, with accommodation due to end two nights after each athlete's sport finished; organisers said they are working with police, Border Force and UK Visas & Immigration.
Dozens of athletes also went missing after previous Commonwealth Games, including Glasgow 2014, and any asylum claims from this year's disappearances would be assessed individually by the Home Office.