The phenomenon of Pakistani athletes disappearing during international sports events, particularly in Europe, has become a recurring issue, casting a shadow over the nation’s sporting reputation. From the 2025 FISU World University Games in Germany to the Norway Cup in Oslo, athletes like Shazil Ahmed, Nadeem Ali, and Amanullah Rauf Baloch have gone missing, sparking debates about systemic failures, personal motivations, and potential exploitation.
The Latest Incidents: 2025 University Games and Norway Cup
In July 2025, two Pakistani athletes, Shazil Ahmed and Nadeem Ali, vanished during the FISU World University Games in Germany’s Rhine-Ruhr region. Part of a 27-athlete contingent competing in athletics, swimming, judo, taekwondo, table tennis, and archery, they were last seen on July 24 after a team dinner, with their passports held by the team manager. Their disappearance, reported by sources like HUM News and Dawn, prompted the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) to form a three-member inquiry committee to probe “significant administrative failures” and “lack of transparency” in team selections.
Similarly, Amanullah Rauf Baloch, a footballer from Karachi’s Lyari neighborhood representing the Muslim Hands Club, went missing during the Norway Cup in Oslo on August 1, 2025. Having competed in the same youth tournament in 2024 and returned to Pakistan, Baloch’s absence was noted on the first day in Oslo, before he could participate in matches. The local police and Pakistani Embassy were notified, but no contact has been established. Posts on X, including from @VoiceupPakistan and @TOKCityOfLights, highlight the concern, with speculation about asylum-seeking motives.
These incidents follow a pattern. In 2024, three Pakistani hockey players and a physiotherapist sought asylum in Poland, and in 2022, boxers Suleman Baloch and Nazeerullah disappeared during the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. The recurrence raises questions about why Pakistani athletes are absconding and whether organizations like Muslim Hands are complicit.
Why Do Pakistani Athletes Abscond?
1. Economic and Social Push Factors
Pakistan’s economic challenges, with inflation at 12.6% in 2025 and youth unemployment at 11.2%, drive many to seek better opportunities abroad. Athletes, often from marginalized areas like Lyari, face financial hardship, with many earning less than $200 monthly despite representing the nation. Gulf News notes that athletes are “often paid little or not paid at all,” struggling to afford training equipment or facilities. The prospect of higher wages and stability in Europe, where asylum seekers may access social benefits, is a powerful lure. For instance, Germany’s 2015 immigration policy shift, accepting over a million refugees, has made it a destination for those seeking a new life.
Social factors, including discrimination and lack of opportunities, also play a role. The Ahmadiyya community, for example, faces persecution in Pakistan, with laws restricting their religious expression. While not directly linked to the missing athletes, such societal pressures could motivate individuals to seek asylum. Posts on X reflect frustration, with @WaggishRiposte lamenting that Pakistani athletes are “making headlines for all the wrong reasons.”
2. Systemic Mismanagement in Pakistani Sports
The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and Higher Education Commission (HEC) face criticism for mismanagement and favoritism. The 2025 University Games exposed glaring issues: a judo athlete competed without a coach or proper uniform, and the women’s 4x400m relay team was disqualified due to disorganization. The PSB’s inquiry into the Germany incident highlighted “questionable team selections” and excessive officials—16 for 25 athletes—raising concerns about resources being diverted to non-essential personnel. Gulf News describes sports federations as “political mafias” prioritizing connections over merit, leaving genuine athletes sidelined.
This systemic rot fosters disillusionment. Athletes, aware of limited support and career prospects, may see international tours as a rare chance to escape. The lack of psychological and financial support, coupled with inadequate oversight, creates opportunities for absconding, as seen when Shazil and Nadeem left despite their passports being held.
3. Pull Factors: Europe’s Asylum Policies and Opportunities
Europe’s relatively lenient asylum policies are a significant pull factor. Germany, hosting the 2025 University Games, has a history of accepting asylum seekers, with over 1.2 million applications processed since 2015. Athletes like Shazil and Nadeem, who informed teammates before leaving, may have planned to seek asylum, leveraging the event’s timing before the contingent’s return on July 27. Norway, where Baloch disappeared, is also a destination for asylum seekers, with 5,000 applications in 2024. The promise of safety, work, and education in Europe outweighs the risks of returning to Pakistan’s challenges.
4. Historical Precedent
The phenomenon isn’t new. In 2024, boxer Zohaib Rasheed vanished in Italy, and in 2022, two boxers absconded during the Commonwealth Games. The Pakistan Hockey Federation’s lifetime bans on defecting players in 2024 show a punitive approach but fail to address root causes. These incidents suggest a pattern where athletes use sports tours as a gateway to Europe, knowing that returning home offers little security or reward.
Is NGO Muslim Hands Involved in a Scam?
The disappearance of Amanullah Rauf Baloch, a Muslim Hands Club footballer, has raised questions about the NGO’s role. Muslim Hands, a UK-based charity operating in Pakistan, supports community programs, including sports initiatives like the Lyari football team that won the 2025 Norway Cup in the Under-15 category. However, Baloch’s case has fueled speculation about whether the NGO is complicit in a broader scheme.
Arguments Supporting Involvement
Opportunity for Exploitation: Muslim Hands’ sponsorship of youth teams provides access to international travel, a rare opportunity for athletes from impoverished areas like Lyari. Baloch’s disappearance on the first day in Oslo, without participating in the Norway Cup, suggests premeditation. Critics on X, like @izeeshaan3, speculate that such trips could be exploited as a “backdoor” for migration, with NGOs potentially turning a blind eye.
Lack of Oversight: The fact that Baloch’s absence was noticed only after he missed an event indicates lax supervision. If Muslim Hands failed to vet or monitor athletes adequately, it could inadvertently enable such incidents. The NGO’s silence on the matter, as noted in X posts, fuels suspicion.
Historical Context: Gulf News suggests that some sports federations in Pakistan may “smuggle people abroad” under the guise of athletic delegations. While no direct evidence links Muslim Hands to such activities, the broader systemic issues raise questions about whether NGOs are unknowingly exploited by individuals or networks.
Involvement
No Concrete Evidence: There is no verifiable evidence implicating Muslim Hands in a deliberate scam. The NGO’s focus is on humanitarian aid and education, with sports programs aimed at uplifting marginalized youth. Baloch’s 2024 return from the Norway Cup suggests the organization facilitated legitimate participation, and his 2025 disappearance may reflect personal motives rather than organizational complicity.
Passport Control: Like the University Games athletes, Baloch’s passport was reportedly held by team officials, indicating standard protocol to prevent unauthorized travel. This undermines claims of a coordinated scheme, as absconding would require circumventing these measures.
Reputation and Mission: Muslim Hands has a 30-year history of community work, including disaster relief and education in Pakistan. Facilitating illegal migration would jeopardize its credibility and funding. The NGO’s prompt reporting of Baloch’s disappearance to Oslo police and the Pakistani Embassy suggests accountability, not collusion.
Analysis of Possibilities
While systemic issues in Pakistani sports create opportunities for absconding, the evidence does not conclusively point to Muslim Hands orchestrating a scam. Baloch’s case likely reflects individual desperation rather than an NGO-led conspiracy. However, the lack of robust oversight in sports delegations, as seen in both the Norway Cup and University Games, highlights vulnerabilities that NGOs and federations must address. Enhanced vetting, psychological support, and stricter travel protocols could mitigate risks without undermining opportunities for genuine athletes.
Broader Implications and Solutions
The repeated disappearance of Pakistani athletes in Europe, including at the 2025 University Games and Norway Cup, damages Pakistan’s sporting credibility and strains diplomatic relations. The PSB’s inquiry into the Germany incident aims to address “disciplinary lapses” and “logistical mismanagement,” but deeper reforms are needed:
Strengthen Oversight: Federations and NGOs must implement rigorous vetting and monitoring, including pre-tour psychological assessments to gauge athletes’ intentions.
Improve Support: Increasing stipends, providing training facilities, and ensuring timely payments can reduce economic desperation. The HEC’s inclusion of 16 officials for 25 athletes in Germany suggests misallocated resources that could support athletes instead.
Address Root Causes: Tackling unemployment (11.2% for youth) and systemic corruption in sports federations is critical. Programs like the NGO Right to Play, which promotes sports for refugee and underprivileged youth, could be scaled to provide local opportunities.
Diplomatic Coordination: Collaboration with host nations like Germany and Norway to track missing athletes and streamline repatriation can deter future incidents. The Pakistani Embassy’s involvement in Baloch’s case is a step forward.
Cultural and Economic Incentives: Highlighting success stories, like the Lyari team’s Norway Cup win, can inspire athletes to stay committed to Pakistan’s sports ecosystem.
The absconding of Pakistani athletes in Europe, exemplified by Shazil Ahmed and Nadeem Ali at the 2025 University Games in Germany and Amanullah Rauf Baloch at the Norway Cup, reflects a mix of economic desperation, systemic mismanagement, and the allure of European opportunities. While speculation surrounds Muslim Hands, no evidence confirms their involvement in a scam; instead, individual motives and lax oversight appear to drive these incidents. Pakistan must reform its sports governance, enhance athlete support, and address socioeconomic challenges to prevent further embarrassments. As the nation prepares for events like the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, ensuring accountability and opportunity will be key to restoring its sporting pride.
