In a troubling development, Pakistani boxer Qudratullah Khan has reportedly gone missing in Glasgow after competing in the Commonwealth Games. The Quetta-born athlete was part of the national boxing team that participated in the prestigious event, which concluded recently.
Khan was expected to return home with the rest of the team on Sunday, but he did not join the squad at the scheduled departure time. According to a source from the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF), his absence has raised alarms. "Yes, he has gone missing," the source confirmed to The Express Tribune. They added, "It is unfortunate, but his department will now handle the matter. We selected him purely on merit, and he is a capable boxer."
Team officials discovered that Khan was not present in his hotel room when they prepared to leave, although his luggage and personal belongings remained untouched. This situation has posed an unexpected challenge for the team management, who now must navigate the implications of his disappearance.
This incident is not isolated; it highlights a concerning trend of Pakistani athletes disappearing during international competitions. Notably, during the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, boxers Suleman Baloch and Nazirullah Khan also went missing after their events. In addition, just a month prior, swimmer Faizan Akbar vanished in Hungary before the FINA World Championships.
The trend continued earlier this year when Lyari-born boxer Zohaib Rasheed left his hotel in Italy before an Olympic qualifying event for the Paris Games. Rasheed later disclosed that financial difficulties were a significant factor in his decision to leave. Such incidents have raised alarms among sports administrators regarding the safety and well-being of athletes during international tours.
As Pakistan prepares to send a contingent to Japan for the upcoming Asian Games next month, Qudratullah Khan's disappearance is likely to increase scrutiny on the country's sports authorities and team management. The PBF and other governing bodies may face pressure to implement stricter measures to ensure the safety and oversight of athletes while they are abroad.
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