Two Pakistani Boxers Disappear from Birmingham after Commonwealth Games

Two boxers from Pakistan’s delegation to the 2022 Commonwealth Games unexpectedly vanished in Birmingham on Wednesday, maybe in an effort to stay in England and avoid returning to their country, according to a local TV Channel.

Suleman Baloch and Nazir Ullah, two boxers, allegedly vanished from Birmingham International Airport.

The Pakistani boxing team was scheduled to depart from Birmingham for Pakistan, but the boxers were nowhere to be located. The administration of the team had both boxers’ travel documents, which raised questions about their disappearance. Five boxers and four officials made up the national boxing contingent; however, three boxers and four officials returned to the airport in Islamabad without the two boxers.

Suleman Baloch competed in the 63 kg division, while Nazir Ullah competed in the lightweight division. The two sportsmen succumbed to their opponents with ease throughout their appearances in various weight classes, failing to make an impression. Baloch lost to Shiva Thapa of India in the 63.5kg division, and Nazeer Ullah lost to Lewis Williams of England in the heavyweight division. The act, which is anticipated to damage the country’s reputation abroad, has been reported to the London Police.

It’s interesting to note that missing athletes from other nations, including Pakistan, have happened before at important athletic events held in wealthy foreign nations. 2018 saw the disappearance of several African athletes from an Australian competition. During the Manchester Games in 2002, another 26 competitors went missing. After finishing their competitions at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, nine Sri Lankan competitors and a manager also vanished, inspiring others to do the same.

BREAKING: Suleman Baloch and Nazeer Ullah Khan, two boxers from Pakistan who competed in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, have gone missing in England. The two boxers are said to have vanished from the Birmingham airport. pic.twitter.com/W6hNqdVDqI

— BNN Pakistan (@BNNPK) August 10, 2022

A four-person committee has been established by the Pakistan Olympic Association to look into the disappearance of two boxers following the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Without providing any other details, a representative of the Pakistan Boxing Federation confirmed the committee’s existence.

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The president of the Pakistan Handball Federation, Mohammad Shafiq, will serve as the chairman of the four-person committee. The committee also includes Lt Col Muhammad Nasir Ejaz Tung, secretary of the PBF, Colonel Sadaf Akram, secretary of the Army Sports Directorate, and a member of the Pakistan Sports Board (to be selected by PSB).

When the boxing team returns to Pakistan, the committee will start its investigation. The team bus from Birmingham to London Heathrow was planned to leave at 11:45 am, and the flight was scheduled to take off at 9:55 pm, according to the source who was telling Geo about the incident in Birmingham. Suleman and Nazeer Ullah, the two boxers, were observed having breakfast in-house at 10 am, but they failed to report to the coach in time for departure.